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Cote d'Ivoire| West Africa
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Once considered a rare example of African political stability and economic success, Côte d’Ivoire has been locked in crisis for the past fifteen years. The crisis began with a political phase, when the 1993 battle for the succession to the presidency following the death of the "Father of the Nation" Félix Houphouët-Boigny created a public debate on issues of identity and citizenship.

The political tension, fuelled by nationalist discourses, rapidly turned into an armed conflict. In December 1999, a military coup overthrew President Henri Konan Bédié. Following another failed military coup in September 2002, this time against Laurent Gbagbo, elected in the controversial 2000 vote, the country was divided in two. The south remained controlled by the government, while the northern half passed into the hands of the Forces Nouvelles rebels.

Neither the deployment of thousands of French soldiers and UN Blue Helmets, nor the numerous peace agreements signed between 2003 and 2005 settled "the Ivorian crisis". Nonetheless, at the end of 2006 President Ggabo proposed a "direct dialogue" with his armed opponents.

This dialogue led to the 4 March 2007 signing of the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement (OPA) between President Laurent Ggabo and the head of the Forces Nouvelles, Guillaume Soro. The agreement prompted a period of relative peace for the country. Guillaume Soro became Prime Minister and the line separating the two sides was gradually erased. However, the implementation of the agreement has taken longer and been more difficult than expected.

None of the three main priorities outlined in the OPA have been realised. Disarmament is far from being achieved. The reestablishment of government control in the north of the country remains partial. The presidential polls that should have been scheduled ten months after the signing of the agreement have yet to take place. The  first round of polls has been set for November 2009, but it is still unclear whether they will actually be held.
 
The possibility of a return to violence in Côte d’Ivoire cannot be ruled out, given the difficulties of the implementation of the Ouagadougou agreement and the lack of trust between the two sides. The current world economic recession has also seen Côte d’Ivoire become further impoverished, and for thousands of young men poverty is a good reason not to give up their weapons, or indeed to take them up again.

Our reports on Côte d'Ivoire are listed below, starting with the most recent. You can also search for relevant reports using the search box in the top right hand side of this page.

Articles, op-eds, speeches and media releases can be found under the media section.

 


Recent reports & briefings