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Cease Fire – 2011

A full scale conflict resumed in Ivory Coast. Civilians were caught in the middle as fighting between forces that recognized Alassane Ouattara as President clashed with forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo. It was reported that forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara took control of the capital city, Abidjan, on 31 March 2011. An estimated 800 people were killed.¹ The UN Security Council demanded an immediate halt to escalating violence and imposed sanctions on Gbagbo.² The US had already imposed sanctions on Gbagbo in December 2010.³

The violent conflict was put to rest once the Forces Républicaines de C™te dÕIvoire (FRCI), formerly the Forces Nouvelles, arrested Mr. Gbagbo, his wife, and members of his family, staff, and cabinet in a bunker in the presidential residence. The arrests took place on 11 April. On 1 May, President Alassane Ouattara announced the establishment of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission.⁴

1. “Ivory Coast braces for final clash; 800 killed in first town conquered by forces for elected leader,” The Toronto Star, April 19, 2011.
2. “Pro-Ouattara forces seize Ivory Coast capital,” Associated Press, March 31, 2011.
3. “Twenty-seventh progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in C™te dÕIvoire,” United Nations Security Council (S/2011/211), March 30, 2011.
4. “Twenty-eighth report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in C™te dÕIvoire,” United Nations Security Council (S/2011/387), June 24, 2011.