The National Human Rights Commission was a part of the government program submitted to the National Assembly by August.[1] However, by the end of the year, the Commission had not been established.[2]
[1] “First report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2003/801), August 8, 2003.
[2] “Cote d’Ivoire: Militias commit abuses with impunity,” Human Rights Watch, November 27, 2003.
The Linas-Marcoussis Agreement required the transitional powersharing government to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine instances of human rights abuses and violations of human rights law. The new government also committed to providing humanitarian aid to victims identified by the commission.
The National Human Rights Commission was a part of the government program submitted to the National Assembly by August.[1] However, by the end of the year, the Commission had not been established.[2]
[1] “First report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2003/801), August 8, 2003.
[2] “Cote d’Ivoire: Militias commit abuses with impunity,” Human Rights Watch, November 27, 2003.
In April, the parties signed the Pretoria Agreement. Under the Agreement, the Forces nouvelles agreed to return to the Government of National Reconciliation in return for additional security measures for their representatives. However, tensions arose after President Gbagbo canceled elections scheduled to be held for October 30. The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution supporting postponing the elections and keeping Gbagbo and Prime Minister Diarra in office for an additional year. However, opposition groups declared that they would not recognize Gbagbo’s government.[1]
[1] “Ivory Coast president vows to keep power; Security Forces and opposition clash,” Associated Press, October 30, 2005.
In March, opposition leaders began a boycott of the Government of National Reconciliation to protest the government’s response to demonstrations in Abidjan. In May, President Gbagbo dismissed three opposition ministers from the government and replaced them with loyalists. This led to the withdrawal of the remaining Forces nouvelles ministers.[1] On July 30, Gbagbo and the opposition parties signed the Accra III Agreement, committing to restart the Government of National Reconciliation. On August 9, Gbagbo restored the three dismissed opposition ministers, and the remaining opposition and Forces nouvelles rejoined the government.[2] However, on October 28, the Forces nouvelles again left the government, alleging that the army was secretly moving weapons into Bouake.[3]
[1] “First report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2004/443), June 2, 2004.
[2] “Second report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2004/697), August 27, 2004.
[3] “Third progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2004/962), December 9, 2004.
The Linas-Marcoussis Agreement required the establishment of a Government of National Reconciliation to implement the peace process.
The installation of the full transitional powersharing government was delayed through March as rebel-appointed ministers boycotted government meetings due to concerns over their security.[1] The signatories met in Accra on March 7th and signed a follow-up agreement addressing issues with the implementation of the powersharing government. Rebel ministers joined the government in mid-April.[2] However, rebel ministers again boycotted the Government of National Reconciliation in September due to heightened tensions between the two sides.[3] They rejoined the government in late December.[4]
[1] “Report of the Secretary-General on Cote d’Ivoire.” United Nations (S/2003/374), March 26, 2003.
[2] “First report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2003/801), August 8, 2003.
[3] “Second report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2003/1069), November 4, 2003.
[4] “Ivory Coast’s former rebels return to government, but concerns linger,” Agence France Presse, December 23, 2003.
In April, the parties signed the Pretoria Agreement, agreeing to immediately begin the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program. However, in May, the Fources nouvelles made their participation in the DDR program contingent on additional political reforms and further security guarantees.[1] Reintegration did not begin in 2005.
[1] “Fifth progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2005/398), June 17, 2005.
The National Armed Forces and Forces nouvelles met in January and February to discuss the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program required under the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. The parties agreed to initiate the DDR program on March 8. However, a coalition of opposition parties withdrew from the transitional powersharing government in March, causing further delay in the DDR process.[1] On July 30, the parties signed the Accra III Agreement, committing to begin the DDR process by October 15. However, reintegration did not begin in 2004.[2]
[1] “First report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2004/443), June 2, 2004.
[2] “Third progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2004/962), December 9, 2004.
The Linas-Marcoussis Agreement outlined a two-step disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) program to be undertaken by the transitional powersharing government. First, the new government would canton all ground forces in conjunction with ECOWAS and French forces. Second, these forces would be disarmed under the supervision of France and ECOWAS. The first phase was to begin immediately after the conference’s conclusion in Linas-Marcoussis.
A March UN Security Council report on the status of the implementation of the agreement noted that the DDR process had not begun, citing both delays in the formation of the transitional powersharing government as well as logistical issues affecting the deployment of ECOWAS forces that were to oversee cantonment.[1] In August, the first report of the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (MINUCI) noted that the transitional government had formed and begun drafting a DDR program. Cantonment was to begin on July 31 with reintegration to be completed by mid-October. The Forces nouvelles delayed joining the DDR process until the amnesty law was passed in August.[2] The Forces nouvelles withdrew from the DDR process and the transitional government in September, which stalled disarmament.[3]
[1] “Report of the Secretary-General on Cote d’Ivoire.” United Nations (S/2003/374), March 26, 2003.
[2] “First report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2003/801), August 8, 2003.
[3] “Second report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2003/1069), November 4, 2003.
No developments observed this year.
No developments observed this year.