Ruling coalition RHDP 25 April announced official support for President Ouattara’s reelection; Movement of Forces for the Future (small party within ruling coalition) President Anaky Kobenan replaced 12 April with Anzoumana Moutayé after questioning party’s support for Ouattara. Opposition FPI remains divided: court 3 April confirmed Pascal Affi N’Guessan as sole legal party president, following early-March declaration of Aboudramana Sangaré as FPI president by pro-Gbagbo members; pro-Gbagbo camp 14 April reintroduced Gbagbo’s candidacy. Ouattara 11-12 April said country will no longer send officials to ICC, insisted those accused over 2010/2011 post-election conflict will be tried by national courts. UNSC 28 April adopted resolution maintaining sanctions and arms embargo until 30 April 2016, citing continued security concerns.

Trial of 82 pro-Gbagbo figures ended 10 March, former First Lady Simone Gbagbo sentenced to twenty years’ jail. Pro-Gbagbo hardliners 5 March expelled Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party President Pascal Affi N’Guessan, declared Aboudramana Sangaré president; Affi 12 March challenged decision in court. Rally of the Republicans (RDR) 22 March declared President Ouattara its candidate for Oct presidential elections. “Anti-Ouattara” coalition created 18 March by four Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) dissidents and opposition figures, including Sangaré faction of FPI. ICC 11 March announced Gbagbo will be tried early-July with former young patriots chief Charles Blé Goudé. New reconciliation commission created 24 March to work on compensation for war victims.

Divisions within political parties persisted: Ivoirian Popular Front (FPI) President Pascal Affi N’Guessan continued to clash with party hardliners; four Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) members expressed desire to contest Oct elections, refused to support President Ouattara’s reelection bid, said they would not attend 28 Feb PDCI party congress. PDCI president Henri Konan Bédié 28 Feb announced no PDCI candidate in election, reaffirmed support for ruling Rally of the Republicans (RDR) President Ouattara’s reelection bid. Authority for DDR late-Jan estimated 28,000 former combatants yet to be reintegrated; General Chief of Staff Soumaila Bakayoko 11 Feb said military unable to integrate more.

Divisions within ruling Popular Ivoirian Front (FPI) and opposition Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire (PDCI) persisted. Former President Gbagbo’s lawyers said they would appeal late-Dec invalidation of his FPI candidacy, further postponing FPI congress. Hearings began 6 Jan in trial of former First Lady Simone Gbagbo and 81 co-accused charged with crimes related to 2010-2011 post-election violence. Security forces attacked by fifteen assailants in Grabo town in SW 9-10 Jan, two soldiers killed.

Tensions within opposition Popular Ivoirian Front (FPI) persisted: court 29 Dec invalidated candidacy of former President Gbagbo for FPI presidency following request by fellow candidate Pascal Affi N’Guessan. Divisions within main partner in ruling coalition, Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI): despite leader Henri Konan Bédié’s call to support President Ouattara, several figures said to be running in 2015 elections; Bédié 18 Dec announced party congress Feb to decide if PDCI candidate will run. Authorities 17 Dec said appealing ICC request to transfer Simone Gbagbo, former president’s wife accused of crimes against humanity for her involvement in 2010 post-electoral violence, to ICC custody; national trial began 26 Dec. ICC 11 Dec announced former Young Patriots leader Charles Blé Goudé charged with crimes against humanity. Soldiers from Akouédo camp protesting unpaid bonuses arrested 18 Dec; former warlord Salif Troré reportedly connected to protests, arrested 19 Dec.

Former President Laurent Gbagbo 12 Nov announced presidential candidacy on opposition Ivoirian Popular Front (FPI) platform; announcement sparked internal debate between hardliner pro-Gbagbo members, and moderates supporting Pascal Affi N’Guessan, party leader since 2001. FPI election committee 26 Nov validated Gbagbo’s candidacy following N’Guessan’s demand that committee reject Gbagbo’s submission. Opposition coalition Alliance of Democratic Forces of Côte d’Ivoire announced reintegration into Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) after withdrawing in Sept. Soldiers 18 Nov protested in Abijan, Bouaké, Korhogo, Daloa, and San Pedro, demanded govt settle outstanding wages; Defence Minister Paul Koffi Koffi 20 Nov announced wages of 476 former Defence and Security Forces will be paid by end of Dec.

Trial of Simone Gbagbo, former first lady and leading opposition figure, delayed indefinitely 21 Oct due to logistical problems; charges include threats against the security of the state. Opposition Ivorian Patriotic Front leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan, also accused, said trials politically motivated, will not contribute to national or political reconciliation. Former Young Patriots leader Charles Blé Goudé 2 Oct appeared at International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. World Health Organisation 10 Oct urged Ivoirian govt to prepare for Ebola outbreak, said will send team to monitor 700km border with Liberia.

Two main opposition parties Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) and Alliance of Democratic Forces (ADF) 9 Sept suspended participation in new Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), condemned pro-Ouattara diplomat Youssouf Bakayoko’s reappointment to commission chair. FPI’s internal battle over participation in presidential election continued; party hardliners 1 Sept ransacked Abidjan party HQ. Former president Bédié 17 Sept endorsed President Ouattara for 2015 re-election; Bédié’s Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire (PDCI) will not present own candidate. Akuedo military compound attacked 18 Sept, 6 attackers arrested, unclear whether former rebellion members.

Govt, opposition 5 Aug reached agreement on new Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), 17 members sworn in 11 Aug. President Ouattara 6 Aug issued presidential pardons for 3,000 prisoners convicted of minor crimes; opposition FPI 18 Aug called for release of 500 remaining political prisoners. FPI committee 14 Aug reached agreement on party leadership; 30 Aug suspended internal meeting after continued tensions over party’s participation in IEC. Ouattara 7 Aug announced special fund to support victims of political violence and work of Commission for Truth, Dialogue and Reconciliation.

Opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) leader and presidential hopeful Pascal Alli N’Guessan 4 July restructured party leadership ahead of 2015 presidential elections, attempted to remove General Secretary and pro-Gbagbo hardliner Laurent Akoun; Akoun 15 July called decision illegal, reiterated calls for Gbagbo’s release and role in party. Ongoing tensions between govt and FPI: FPI 3 July said some 1,000 supporters still detained, many tortured; 9 July rejected new Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Fearing Ebola outbreak, border authorities 11 July blocked 400 Ivorian refugees returning from Liberia, UNHCR called decision “unacceptable”. French President Francois Hollande 17 July visited Abidjan, said Côte d’Ivoire now “inspires confidence”, discussed economic and security cooperation.