After month of rising tension Forces Nouvelles (FN) rebel leader Guillaume Soro claimed “war isn’t over” 28 October, ordered FN ministers out of government and declared state of emergency in rebel-held north. Following close of parliamentary session 28 September without passage of promised reforms, FN refused to disarm from 15 October as scheduled. Typically measured leader of President Gbagbo’s Ivoirian Popular Front, Affi N'Guessan, subsequently urged moderate PM Seydou Diarra to resign, threatening “military solution” to impasse with rebels. Gbagbo ruled out return to war 19 October and Diarra refused to resign, saying he had president’s support. Earlier in month, demonstrations led by pro-Gbagbo “Young Patriots” outside UN and French army bases dispersed with shots and tear gas; similar demonstrations in northern Bouake town. Unprecedented fire-fight in rebel-held north between unknown assailants and UN/French troops 50km south of Korhogo 26 October.

Situation remained frozen with July “Accra III” deal reforms unimplemented by 30 September deadline; parliament will return to issue 6 October. Forces Nouvelles unlikely to disarm from 15 October as stipulated. Charles Blé Goudé, supporter of President Gbagbo and militia leader, warned French troops to withdraw to barracks by 2 October or face unspecified consequences; demand came after 12 French soldiers arrested for bank robbery 20 September.

30 July “Accra III” agreement led to August return of opposition members to President Gbagbo’s government, re-instatement of 3 ministers and Gbagbo’s acceptance of power-sharing compromise. Full cabinet meeting held 9 August. UN announced creation of first mixed police unit 19 August to patrol Bangolo town, within “demilitarised zone” between rebel-held north and government- held south.

After months of stalemate, opposition agreed 30 July to return to President Gbagbo’s government after intensive negotiations at UN-Africa Union summit in Accra. Gbagbo agreed to push through amendment on eligibility for presidential elections without recourse to National Assembly or referendum; Forces Nouvelles (FN) rebels agreed to general militia disarmament starting mid- October. But scepticism remained over implementation. UN human rights investigators arrived 16 July planning to probe abuse since 2002. Underlying anti-UN and anti-French sentiment remains; Ivorian soldier charged 14 July with murder of French peacekeeper in Yamoussoukro.

Struggle to keep Marcoussis peace process alive as government supporters blamed renewed clashes on UN and French forces, and political stalemate continued. G7 opposition group and President Gbagbo agreed reform timetable 30 June, though unclear if ministers fired May will be re-instated. Rebel Forces Nouvelles (FN) leader Guillaume Soro refused to take part calling talks “hypocritical”. UN Security Council delegation suggested sanctions if progress not forthcoming. FN denied involvement in fighting near Mamingui in French-patrolled demilitarised zone 7 June, with attack on Ivorian army and French positions, killing 7. Clashes between rebel groups in Bouake 20-22 June killed 17. FN alleged assassination attempt on Soro, blaming President Gbagbo and Guinean president Conte; government pointed to in-fighting between Soro and rival leader Ibrahim Coulibaly.

President Gbagbo fired 3 opposition Forces Nouvelles (FN) ministers and replaced them with allies, breaking Marcoussis peace accords and leading rebel leader Guillaume Soro to withdraw recognition 24 May. Prime Minister Diarra decided to stay on, but refused to chair cabinet meetings until problem resolved. UN pledged support as 6,240 UN peackeepers began to arrive, but Soro, alleging existence of Gbagbo-backed militants in Guinea, did not rule out return to war. UN Security Council condemned government 14 May, alleging use of torture, non-respect of human rights and complicity in “indiscriminate killing” of 120 protesters 25-26 March. Security Council called for wide UN enquiry covering events from September 2002, leading to pro-government protests against UN presence and threats to French interests. 30,000 Gbagbo supporters demonstrated against UN 31 May.

UN to investigate claims that hundreds killed during and after March opposition protests. Opposition leaders agreed to resume dialogue with President Gbagbo 17 April on stalled peace talks provided preconditions met - but little progress likely in short term, with both sides holding large rallies in Abidjan 24-25 April, and rebel leader Guillaume Soro talking of northern secession. UN commenced deployment of peacekeepers by "rehatting" 1,400 already deployed West African troops as UN peacekeepers; 6,200 to be deployed by July.

Peace process in tatters following massacre of hundreds of opposition supporters by security forces and pro-government militias. Deterioration began early March with leading opposition Democratic Party pulling out of transitional administration, accusing President Gbagbo of destabilising peace. Alliance of opposition groups and rebels held protest march in commercial capital Abidjan 25 March despite official ban. Security forces and pro-government militias closed off Abidjan, fired on march and rounded up protesters during and after it. Government reported 37 protesters killed – but credible reports to ICG claim security forces and pro- government militias may have massacred over 200 during march and in days immediately following. Many protesters killed in police stations. At least 127 bodies have been counted, and many more missing believed killed. Real risk of escalating violence and further massacres.

UN Security Council agreed 27 February to deployment of 6,240 UN troops and up to 350 police. UN force will replace 1,000 West African troops. 4,000 French troops will remain, not part of UN force. Government announced disarmament and reintegration process to start 8 March but rebels later claimed would not disarm until after national elections scheduled late 2005. Visiting UN rapporteur claimed "dynamic of xenophobia" in country. Rebel leader Ibrahim “Adams” Coulibaly shot dead 8 February – possibly by rival leader’s supporters.

Security situation remains tense. Rebels returned to power-sharing government 6 January after 3-month boycott. France seeking UN Security Council approval by 4 February of peacekeeping force of 6,240; U.S. has reservations. At least 18 killed in ethnic clashes in west and north. Policeman convicted of October murder of French journalist and sentenced to 17 years jail.