Côte d'Ivoire: The Pan-African Congress of Young Patriots (Congrès panafricain des jeunes patriotes, COJEP), including its mission, structure, leaders and activities; whether COJEP issues membership cards; treatment of COJEP members by the authorities (2010-2015)

1. COJEP: From the Pan-African Congress of Young Patriots to the Pan-African Congress for Justice and People's Equality (Congrès panafricain pour la justice et la liberté des peuples)

The Pan-African Congress of Young Patriots, also called the Pan-African Congress of Youth and Patriots, was founded in June 2001 (ICC 9 Oct. 2014, 1; COJEP n.d.; Fraternité matin 19 Dec. 2006) by Charles Blé Goudé (ICC 9 Oct. 2014, 1; COJEP n.d.). According to the UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), it is also known as [UN English version] "Young Patriots" (UN 10 Feb. 2006). According to the US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2010, they are also called "Young Patriots" (US 8 Apr. 2011, 5). Upon its creation, COJEP was an [translation] "anti-imperialist and antineocolonial movement" (ICC 9 Oct. 2014, 1; COJEP n.d.). However, in 2011, some international human rights NGOs described COJEP as a youth militia loyal to Laurent Gagbo that committed human rights violations when they challenged the results of the presidential elections of November 2010 (AI May 2011, 18, 22, 2629; Human Rights Watch 26 Jan. 2011).

Sources state that in December 2012, at the end of a COJEP special assembly, COJEP changed its name to become the Pan-African Congress [or Pan-African Congress of Patriots] for Justice and People's Equality (Congrès panafricain [ou Congrès panafricain des patriotes] pour la justice et l'égalité des peuples), to highlight its evolution from a [translation] "pressure group" to a "political movement" (L'Intelligent d'Abidjan 19 Dec. 2012; Notre Voie 16 Dec. 2012).

According to an article published on the African news website Afrik53 on 27 June 2014 by a journalist affiliated with Africa TV, COJEP, the political movement, adopted the following objectives:

[translation]

Establish the movement and recruit new activists

Provide political training and ideology to leaders and activists

Foster a democratic fight for the liberation of all political prisoners[,] especially President Laurent Gbagbo, Simone Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé…and ensure the safe return of political exiles and refugees

Fight for the reconciliation and promotion of peace in Côte-d'Ivoire

Fight for respect for human rights in Côte-d'Ivoire. (Afrika TV 27 June 2014)

Further information on COJEP's objectives could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Structure and Leaders

Sources published in 2014 and 2015 state that Agenor Youan Bi holds the position of Acting President of COJEP (Afrika TV 27 June 2014; COJEP 3 Feb. 2015). According to the BBC, the President of COJEP, Charles Blé Goudé, was transferred by the Ghanaian authorities to the The Hague International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2014, after being on the run in Ghana for two years (27 Mar. 2014). According to Freedom House, the ICC arrest warrant for Charles Blé Goudé accused him "of committing crimes against humanity as a youth militia commander during the 2011 crisis" (2014). The BBC specifies that he is wanted for [translation] "murder, rape and other crimes against humanity" (28 Sept. 2014). Sources point out Charles Blé Goudé's close relationship with Laurent Gbagbo (The New York Times 1 Oct. 2013; Libération 16 Apr. 2011). The French daily Libération further states that in December 2010, he was named Minister of Youth in Mr. Gbagbo's [translation] "unrecognized" government (ibid.).

Moreover, the Afrika TV article provides the following information on the structure and leadership team of COJEP on June 2014:

[translation]

Henceforth, COJEP will be led by two (2) main bodies: the National Executive Council (Conseil exécutif national, CEN-COJEP) and the President's office.

…

The CEN-COJEP consists of two (2) central bodies: the Strategic Council and the Executive Committee.

I- The Strategic Council

The Strategic Council consists of: the Management Committee, the strategic national secretariats and the technical national secretariats.

I-1: Management Committee

The Management Committee consists of: the Presidium, which consists of the President (Charles Blé Goudé) and seven vice-presidents, and the Primary Executive Secretariat, which consists of the Primary Executive Secretary, the COJEP spokesperson and seven other assistant executive secretaries.

II- Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of: the Primary Executive Secretariat (see above), the Operational Executive Secretariat responsible for leadership in the regions and the Specialized Structures representatives.

The appointments to the Management Committee are as follows[:]

A- Presidium

President of COJEP: Charles Blé Goudé

1st Vice-President (VP), responsible for strategy and the political orientation of the movement: YOUAN Bi Tra Agénor

2nd VP, responsible for the Diaspora and Foreign Representation, spokesperson of President Charles Blé Goudé: Dr. Patrice SARAKA

3rd VP, responsible for civil society and relations with political organizations and unions: Roselin BLY

4th VP, responsible for political and ideological training: Donatien BLI

5th VP, responsible for solidarity and social affairs: YOBO Luc Innocent

6th VP, responsible for dialogue on cultures and people for social cohesion and African integration: COULIBALY Sita

7th VP, foreign relations, responsible for lobbying and political partnerships: GUINA François

B- Primary Executive Secretariat

Primary Executive Secretary (Secrétaire exécutif principal, SEP), COJEP spokesperson: Martial YAVO

1st Assistant Executive Secretary (Secrétaire exécutif adjoint, SEA), responsible for justice and public freedom: BOA N'Tamon François

2nd SEA, responsible for the movement's emergence and presence: BLE Kopé Boniface

3rd SEA, responsible for the administrative organization and modernization of the movement: BOUAZO Vincent

4th SEA, responsible for relations with chancelleries and international institutions: KOUÉ Jean Claude

5th SEA, permanent headquarters administrator, responsible for documentation, internal communication and information: Vanié DJEZOU

6th SEA, responsible for national reconciliation and relations with the Republic's institutions: ZAHOULI Pascale

7th SEA, responsible for communication and political marketing: BISOUMA Éric

...

The President's office [includes]:

[one] executive director

[one] chief of staff

special advisors (five advisors)

President's Communication cell (two people)-one responsible for international communication, and the other responsible for media relations. (Afrika TV 27 June 2014)

2.1 Representation Abroad

During a 2013 interview with the Ivorian newspaper Le Quotidien, the individual responsible for [translation] "coordinating COJEP exiles" stated

[translation]

[t]hat after the removal of President Gbagbo, many activists and leaders of COJEP sought refuge in the sub-region or in Europe. Based on the number of activists and leaders who sought refuge, we set up representations in various countries, namely, in Liberia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Conakry, Ghana, Benin, Senegal, South Africa, Cameroon, Tunisia, Morocco and France. All of these representations constitute the Coordination of COJEP exiles (Coordination des exilés du COJEP, COOREX COJEP) … (Le Quotidien 14 June 2013)

Sources note to the existence of COJEP-France (Civox.net 28 Oct. 2013; Afrika TV 27 June 2014), of COJEP-Europe (Notre Voie 5 May 2015; COJEP 26 Jan. 2013; Afrika TV 27 June 2014) and of COJEP-UK (ibid.). Further information on COJEP representations abroad could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Membership Cards

Information on COJEP membership cards was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. An article published in December 2013 by the Ivorian news website 5minutesinfo.net on the election of the regional president of COJEP refers to [translation] "fee-based cards" for COJEP activists (11 Dec. 2013). Further and corroborating information on COJEP membership cards could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. COJEP Activities

4.1 2010

According to the Ivorian daily L'Intelligent d'Abidjan, in September 2010, COJEP assembled at a general meeting in Yamoussoukro to discuss the theme [translation] "COJEP and the other youth movements, what synergy for Laurent Gbagbo's victory," in advance of the presidential elections of October 2010 (4 Sept. 2010).

4.2 2011

A report published in 2011 by Human Rights Watch on the topic, among others, of violence committed by pro-Gbagbo militia in Côte d'Ivoire, states that

[Human Rights Watch English version]

[s]ecurity forces under the control of Laurent Gbagbo and militias that support him have, since late November 2010, committed extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, torture, and rape […] The pro-Gbagbo militias implicated in the abuses Human Rights Watch documented include the Student Federation of Côte d'Ivoire (Fédération estudiantine et scolaire de Côte d'Ivoire, FESCI) […] and the Young Patriots (Jeunes Patriotes), a militant youth wing supporting Gbagbo and his political party, the Ivorian Popular Front (Front populaire ivoirien, FPI) (26 Jan. 2011).

In a report published in May 2011, Amnesty International (AI) provides similar information regarding killings, acts of violence, kidnapping and rape that were committed by proGbagbo militias, including by the Young Patriots, during the post-election crisis (AI May 2011, 16, 18, 2629).

4.3 2013

The day after Charles Blé Goudé was arrested in Ghana on 17 January 2013, the online newspaper La Dépêche d'Abidjan published a news release from COJEP announcing the establishment of a defence commmittee for Charles Blé Goudé, under the leadership of the President of COJEP-Europe and a lawyer in Brussels (COJEP 18 Jan. 2013).

A news release published in April 2013 by COJEP-Europe reports on meetings between its president and representatives from the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva (COJEP 8 Apr. 2013). The objective of these meetings was to increase awareness of the human rights situation in Côte d'Ivoire, as well as of the detention conditions and the treatment of the COJEP president, Charles Blé Goudé, since his extradition (ibid.).

According to Radio France internationale (RFI), in August 2013, COJEP launched a [translation] "campaign" urging President Ouattara to declare a general amnesty toward national reconciliation (3 Aug. 2013).

In December 2013, COJEP reportedly organized the election of a president for the regional coordination in Garahio [in the city of Gagnoa] (5minutesinfo.net 11 Dec. 2013). Sylvain Zéliarou was elected to this position (ibid.).

4.4 2014

In March 2014, members of COJEP participated in a protest before the Abidjan courthouse to oppose the transfer of Charles Blé Goudé to the ICC (APA 21 Mar. 2014). The COJEP interim president at the time stated that during the protest, the former COJEP interim president, Marcel Yavo, had been taken in for questioning by the authorities (ibid.).

On 16 August 2014, COJEP held its [translation] "first general statutory policy council" in Abidjan-Yopougon, which focused, among other subjects, on the situation of Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé (COJEP 17 Aug. 2014).

According to the newspaper Notre Voie, in October 2014, COJEP organized a focus day in Abidjan-Yopougon to analyze the speech that Charles Blé Goudé had given before the ICC (15 Oct. 2014).

4.5 2015

In February 2015, COJEP mobilized in favour of children's rights, organizing a special political congress on the problem of child abductions for ritual purposes (COJEP 3 Feb. 2015).

Sources state that the sixth European COJEP summit took place in April 2015 in The Hague (Notre Voie 5 May 2015; Linfodrome 20 Apr. 2015). The discussion theme was [translation] "Developing COJEP's capacities for the return to lasting peace in Côte d'Ivoire" (ibid.).

5. Treatment of COJEP Members by the Authorities

According to Freedom House, "[u]nder Ouattara, the security forces have targeted Gbagbo's former supporters […], including through the … arrest [in June 2012] of Martial Yavo, interim president of [COJEP]" (2013). According to AI, after Martial Yavo was arrested, the Truth, Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission, committed to [AI English version] "seek truth and determine where responsibilities lie regarding past and recent national socio-political events" and chaired by a former prime minister, criticized "the increase in arbitrary arrests," including of opposition leaders (AI Feb. 2013, 67). In a 2013 statement to the UN Human Rights Council, the International Federation for Human Rights (Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme, FIDH), Human Rights Watch, the Ivorian Human Rights Movement (Mouvement ivoirien des droits humains, MIDH) and the Ivorian Human Rights League (Ligue ivoirienne des droits de l'homme, LIDHO) state that [translation] "the judicial proceedings undertaken by the Ivorian authorities in Côte d'Ivoire continue to target almost exclusively members of pro-Gbagbo forces who allegedly committed crimes" (FIDH et al. 20 Mar. 2013).

According to a press release by Agence France-Presse (AFP), in 2015, [translation] "[f]our years after President Alassane Ouattara took power as a result of the bloody post-election violence, some of his fierce opponents who sought refuge in neighbouring Liberia still fear reprisals should they return to the country" (AFP 1 May 2015). The same press release states that some [translation] "Young Patriots" are among those people who sought refuge in Liberia (ibid.)

In June 2015, the police intervened to [translation] "disperse" members of COJEP who were on their way to a meeting where it would be announced that COJEP's would join the Coalition for Change (Coalition pour le changement, CNC) (Connection ivoirienne 5 June 2015). The CNC is a coalition of parties and associations opposing President Alassane Ouattara that was founded on 15 May 2015 (RFI 16 May 2015). During this incident, a COJEP activist was reportedly arrested by the police and taken to an unknown location (Connection ivoirienne 5 June 2015).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

5minutesnfo.net. 11 December 2013. Éric Bailly. "Élection du président régional du Cojep/Sylvain Zéliarou déclare, inquiet : 'Le Cojep n'a plus de militants dans le Goh'." [Accessed 18 June 2015]

Afrika TV. 27 June 2014. Philippe Kouhon. "Restructuration du COJEP Ce que Charles Blé Goudé réserve aux membres de la diaspora." [Accessed 16 June 2015]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 1 May 2015. Zoom Dosso. "Au Liberia, les soldats perdus de la crise ivoirienne craignent toujours de rentrer." (Factiva)

Agence de presse africaine (APA). 21 March 2014. "Manifestation à Abidjan pour dire non au transfèrement de Charles BLÉ Goudé à la CPI." (Factiva)

Amnesty International (AI). February 2013. Côte d'Ivoire: la loi des vainqueurs. La situation des droits humains deux ans après la crise post-électorale. (AFR 31/001/2013) [Accessed 12 June 2015]

_____. May 2011. "Ils ont regardé sa carte d'identité et l'ont abattu." Retour sur six mois de violences post-électorales en Côte d'Ivoire. (AFR 31/002/2011) [Accessed 12 June 2015]

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_____. 27 March 2014. Tamasin Ford. "Charles Blé Goude: Ivory Coast's 'Street General'." [Accessed 15 June 2015]

Civox.net. 28 October 2013. Zéka Togui. "Rentrée politique du COJEP-France : les vérités, les révélations et la stratégie de Zap Krasso pour la libération de Blé Goudé." [Accessed 12 June 2015]

Congrès panafricain pour la justice et l'égalité des peuples (COJEP). 3 February 2015. "Déclaration du Cojep relative aux enlèvements d'enfants en Côte d'Ivoire." [Accessed 12 June 2015]

_____. 17 August 2014. "Communiqué final du 1er Conseil politique ordinaire du COJEP. REF : 001/CPO-COJEP/160814." [Accessed 16 June 2015]

_____. 8 April 2013. "À Genève, un responsable du COJEP rencontre les organisations internationales." [Accessed 25 June 2015]

____. 26 January 2013. Nick de Bessou. "Déclaration du vice-président COJEP-UK, membre du siège du COJEP-Europe." [Accessed 12 June 2015]

____. 18 January 2013. "Arrestation de Blé Goudé : un Comité de défense constitué." [Accessed 16 June 2015]

_____. N.d. "Charles Blé Goudé." [Accessed 15 June 2015]

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Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH), Human Rights Watch, Mouvement ivoirien des droits humains (MIDH) and Ligue ivoirienne des droits de l'homme (LIDHO). 20 March 2013. "Déclaration au Conseil des droits de l'homme sur la situation des droits humains en Côte d'Ivoire." [Accessed 8 June 2015]

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Freedom House. 2014. "Côte d'Ivoire." Freedom in the World 2014. [Accessed 15 June 2015]

_____. 2013. "Côte d'Ivoire." Freedom in the World 2013. [Accessed 15 June 2015]

Human Rights Watch. 26 January 2011. "Côte d'Ivoire : Les forces de sécurité et les milices mènent une campagne de violence organisée." [Accessed 12 June 2015]

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_____. 4 September 2010. "2eme Congrès ordinaire du COJEP/Charles Blé Goudé aux congressistes : 'Soyez des solutions pour Gagbo et non des problèmes pour lui'." [Accessed 15 June 2015]

International Criminal Court (ICC). 9 October 2014. "Annex 2. Public. ICC-02/11-02/11-HNE-2. L'ascension de M. Blé Goudé au sein de l'entourage immédiat de Laurent Gbagbo." Situation in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire in the Case of the Prosecutor v. Chales Blé Goudé. [Accessed 12 June 2015]

Libération. 16 April 2011. Hélène Despic-Popovic. "À l'heure des ratissages, les Jeunes Patriotes résistent à Abidjan." [Accessed 10 June 2015]

Linfodrome. 20 April 2015. Entrevue de Jean-Claude Gnahoua par Steeve Azo. "Justice internationale : Les partisans de Blé Goudé organisent un sommet à La Haye - Gnahoua Jean-Claude, président du Conseil européen du COJEP, explique tout." [Accessed 12 June 2015]

The New York Times. 1 October 2013. Adam Nossiter. "Ally of Ivory Coast Strongman Sought by International Court." [Accessed 15 June 2015]

Notre Voie. 5 May 2015. "Résolution de la crise ivoirienne, libération des prisonniers politiques… : Jean-Claude Gnahoua (COJEP-Europe) : 'Blé Goudé et le Cojep prônent la concertation'." [Accessed 15 June 2015]

_____. 15 October 2014. Benjamin Koré. "Michel Gbagbo aux militants du COJEP : 'En politique, on discute avec ses adversaires'." [Accessed 25 June 2015]

_____. 16 December 2012. Augustin Kouyo. "Premier congrès ordinaire du Cojep." [Accessed 12 June 2015]

Le Quotidien. 14 June 2013. Interview of Doukrou Parfait by Dan Opéli. "Doukrou Parfait (Responsable des exilés du Cojep): 'Blé Goudé est exposé à un projet d'assassinat'." [Accessed 15 June 2015]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 16 May 2015. "Côte d'Ivoire : création d'une coalition contre Alassane Ouattara." [Accessed 15 June 2015]

_____. 3 August 2013. "Côte d'Ivoire : Le Cojep demande l'amnistie générale au nom de la réconciliation nationale." [Accessed 12 June 2015]

United Nations (UN). 10 February 2006. Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). "Côte d'Ivoire : biographie des trois personnalités politiques ivoiriennes sanctionnées par l'ONU." [Accessed 12 June 2015]

United States (US). 8 April 2011. Department of State. "Côte d'Ivoire." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2010. [Accessed 24 June 2015]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica; ecoi.net; International Crisis Group; Jeune Afrique; Political Handbook of the World; SmallArmSurvey; United Nations - United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire, Refworld.