VZCZCXRO5449
PP RUEHPA
DE RUEHAB #0428 1161515
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 261515Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1242
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1346
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0306

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 000428 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
KINSHASA PASS TO BRAZZAVILLE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2016 
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PREL IV
SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: STUDENT UNION STAGES STREET PROTESTS 
 
 
Classified By: POL/ECON Jim Wojtasiewicz, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
¶1. (SBU)  The Cote D'Ivoire Federation of University and High 
School Students (FESCI) staged street demonstrations in 
Abidjan April 25 to demand an end to the current teachers 
strike.  The government-owned but generally factual newspaper 
Fraternite Matin estimated the number of protesters at 1500. 
The initial intention of the demonstrations was to force the 
closing of all private colleges.  However, after finishing 
that, FESCI went on to force all private primary and 
secondary schools to close as well.  The demonstrators also 
attacked a few cars including one belonging to the UN 
Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (ONUCI).  Overnight there was some 
looting of shops near the Sports Palace where youth groups 
often hold political rallies.  Some schools remained closed 
April 26. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Teachers at the public university and at all public 
primary and secondary schools have been on strike for several 
weeks to demand higher pay.  (Teacher salaries have not risen 
since 1994.  Primary school teachers make an average of the 
equivalent of USD 300 per month, secondary school teachers 
USD 434, and university lecturers USD 646.  Meanwhile, the 
per capita income went up from the equivalent of USD 622 in 
1994 to USD 890 in 2005.)  FESCI was protesting the fact that 
while the public schools were closed because of the strike, 
private schools remained open.  FESCI also accuses teachers 
from the public university of continuing to teach at private 
colleges.  Accordingly, FESCI has now seen to it that all 
schools were closed, at least temporarily.  According to AFP, 
FESCI Secretary General Serge Koffi issued an ultimatum April 
25 that if the strike does not end within four days, "all and 
sundry will see violence in all forms." 
 
¶3. (SBU) Prime Minister Banny appealed to the teachers April 
25 (from Washington, where he is on an official visit) to 
suspend their strike so that the school year could be 
finished.  However, the teachers reportedly decided to 
continue the strike for at least another week. 
 
¶4. (C) Comment.  FESCI has long been known for its 
belligerence and violence, and Koffi has ambitions to 
challenge Charles Ble Goude (who was indeed his predecessor 
as FESCI Secretary General) as the leader of the pro-Gbagbo 
street militias.  Thus, the teachers' strike probably was 
only a pretext for FESCI to flex its muscles.  If Defense and 
Security Forces continue to stand aside, these groups may 
well widen their protests and lengthen their list of demands. 
 End Comment. 
Hooks