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, demobilization 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 conclusion of the conference in Linas-Marcoussis.

A March UN Security Council report on the status of the implementation of the agreement noted that demobilization 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] The first report of the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (MINUCI) in August noted that the transitional government had formed and begun drafting a DDR program. Cantonment was to begin on July 31, and demobilization was to be completed by the end of September. 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 demobilization.^[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.

The United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) reported in March that “Prime Minister Diarra has sought to reactiveate the national identification exercise”, although it was unclear if the reforms to the National Identification Commission had been modified in line with the requirements of the Linas-Marcoussis agreement.^[1] Despite new laws passed in 2004, nationality and naturalization continued to be a source of friction.^[2] In September, President Gbagbo again revised these laws.^[3]

[1] “Fourth progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2005/186), March 18, 2005.

[2] “No peace in Ivory Coast without solution to nationality problem: Rebel leader,” Agence France Presse, August 30, 2005.

[3] “Gbagbo revises Ivory Coast’s contested nationality laws,” Agence France Presse, September 2, 2005.

The National Assembly passed a law addressing the status of foreigners residing in the country in April; however, the bill did not address naturalization.^[1] A January report from the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (MINUCI) raised concerns “that the National Identification Office continues to operate without the judicial-political oversight mechanism provided for in the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement.” ^[2] In December, the National Assembly naturalized residents in the country prior to independence in 1960 or turned 21 in Ivory Coast after 1961.^[3]

[1] “Ivory Coast parliament adopts law on status of foreigners,” Agence France Presse, April 8, 2004.

[2]“Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1514 (2003) of 13 November 2003,” United Nations (S/2004/3), January 6, 2004.

[3] “Ivory Coast parliament completes vote on peace pact laws,” Agence France Presse, December 17, 2004.

Under the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, the powersharing government was to undertake changes to Ivory Coast’s citizenship law. The powersharing government was to submit a naturalization bill to address the status of persons in the country illegally. In addition, the new government would suspend identification and registration procedures pending the appointment of a National Identification Commission.

No progress observed this year.

The United Nations Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) observed clashes in February between the Forces nouvelles and a pro-government militia, as well as violations of the “zone of confidence” between the government controlled north and rebel south throughout the spring.^[1] In April, the parties signed the Pretoria Agreement, declaring the final cessation of all hostility. The status of the ceasefire improved following the Pretoria Agreement. UNOCI reported no violations of the ceasefire or major violations of the zone of confidence between March and June.^[2]

[1] “Fourth progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2005/186), March 18, 2005.

[2] “Fifth progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2005/398), June 17, 2005.

On October 11, the Government and Forces nouvelles signed the Yamoussoukro Joint Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to the ceasefire and the DDR process.^[1] On November 4-6, the National Armed Forces launched an air bombardment of rebel territory near Bouaké,^[2] resulting in over 25 fatalities.^[3] According to President Gbagbo, the strikes were a deliberate attempt to retake rebel-held towns. The French military base in Bouaké was also bombed on November 6, allegedly by accident. In response, the French forces destroyed the Ivorian air force.^[4]

[1] “Third progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations operation in Cote d’Ivoire,” United Nations (S/2004/962), December 9, 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.

[3] “Ivory Coast:Government,” UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia, http://ucdp.uu.se/additionalinfo?id=419&entityType=1, Accessed October 22, 2018.

[4] “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 established a ceasefire between the rebels and the government, facilitated by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and French peacekeepers.

Rebel and government troops clashed throughout the spring of 2003, conducted military offensives, and accused the other side of violating the ceasefire.^[1] Government forces continued to use airstrikes on rebel-held positions.^[2] The government and the Forces nouvelles signed a second ceasefire in Abidjan on May 3. Rebels accused the government of undertaking an offensive to retake Danane hours before the ceasefire was signed,^[3] and claimed the government launched additional offensives the day after the ceasefire.^[4] However, the ceasefire appeared to stabilize after the second agreement. The government and Forces nouvelles signed a follow-up agreement in Abidjan on July 4, declaring the war to be over.

[1] “Cote d’Ivoire; Ivory Coast govt troops attacked by rebels in west,” Africa News, April 22, 2003.

[2] “France condemns violation of cease-fire by government in Ivory Coast,” The Associated Press, April 17, 2003.

[3] “Ivory Coast government, rebels sign countrywide cease-fire; fighting reported,” The Associated Press, May 3, 2003.

[4] “Ivory Coast rebels claim attack by government troops, despite recent cease-fire,” The Associated Press, May 5, 2003.

No developments observed this year.

No developments observed this year.