Tensions between govt and opposition eased after late May release of political prisoners, 4 June return of 249 resi- dences to former govt officials and former President Gbagbo’s associates; UN 16 June welcomed “significant step toward national reconciliation”. Opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) 29 June rejected new Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), called for more inclusion. ICC 12 June confirmed crimes against humanity charges against Gbagbo, committed him for trial; Gbagbo’s lawyers said President Alassane Ouattara using court as tool to get rid of political enemies; FPI 11 June called for Gbagbo’s release, 14 June called ICC decision “surprising and sad”.

Govt 14 May announced formation of new Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), opposition said commission not inclusive, prone to manipulation in next election. Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) 22 May asked supporters to boycott national census, accused ruling Rally of Republicans (RDR) of planning to use census for mass fraud; 27 May announced lifting of boycott. Govt agreed to let census run to end May following pressure from civil society, 27 May extended deadline to 14 June. 13 killed 15 May in attack on Fetai village, SW Ivorian-Liberian border, some 2,500 displaced; army regained control 16 May. Govt 31 May released 50 prisoners detained since 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis.

Opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) ended dialogue with govt after 22 March transfer of former President Gbagbo ally Charles Blé Goudé to ICC, called for boycott of population census. UN SRSG Mindaoudou 22 April met with both FPI and govt in attempt to mediate. UN experts 15 April called for halt to arms shipments via Côte d’Ivoire for MINUSMA peacekeepers in Mali, following discovery of unexplained excess of Chinese military hardware in cargo transiting via Abidjan; 17 April accused Issiaka Ouattara aka “Wattao”, senior army officer and former rebel commander, of breaking diamond embargo. Deputy Defence Minister Kofi Kofi 21 April announced thousands of “fake” soldiers serving in military. UNSC 29 April adopted resolution 2153, lifting ban on rough diamonds exports and partially lifting arms embargo.

Thousands in Abidjan 2 March welcomed President Ouattara’s return from month-long medical stay in Paris; absence had stoked fears of return to political upheaval. Ouattara 12 March dismissed higher education minister after violent clashes between students and campus police at Cocody University; at least 20 injured. Govt 20 March announced it will transfer Charles Blé Goudé, close ally of former President Gbagbo, to ICC to face crimes against humanity charges.

President Ouattara hospitalised in France 9 Feb, offi- cially for sciatica surgery, sparked speculation over health. Opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan met with Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) head Henri Konan Bédié for first time in 4 years. FPI 14 Feb started series of 9 political meetings, marking first time party allowed to organise such rallies since 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis, though FPI meeting in Abobo cancelled 16 Feb for security reasons. Ouattara 4 Feb renewed 12-month mandate of Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) National President Pascal Affi N’guessan 7 Jan said President Ouattara not “eligible” in 2015 elections, implied because he is “not Ivorian”, renewing tensions between camps;16 Jan meeting between minister for dialogue and FPI senior members described as “very tense”. Govt 15 Jan requested 3 more months to respond to ICC on transfer of former “young patriots” leader Blé Goudé. Ouattara 6 Jan asked Dozo traditional hunters, blamed by UN for summary executions and rights abuses, to end paramilitary activities.

UN Panel of Experts on Liberia 11 Dec announced it received information Ivorian govt sent hit squads to Ghana to kill followers of former president Gbagbo, made payments to Liberian mercenaries in bid to avoid attacks aimed at destabilising President Ouattara; Ghana govt told UN experts it “foiled” at least 2 missions by Ivorian agents to kill/abduct pro-Gbagbo hardliners. Rally of Republicans and Ivorian Popular Front met 9 Dec for first time in decade, kicked off political dialogue. ICC 16 Dec dismissed Prosecutor’s appeal against adjournment of hearing until confirmation of charges against Gbagbo.

ICC 11 Nov ruled former President Gbagbo must remain in detention pending possible trial for crimes against humanity; opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) demanded his immediate release. Authorities 23 Nov arrested FPI Secretary General Laurent Akoun; reasons unclear. Court 6 Nov sentenced 15 former top officials to 20 years’ prison for embezzling. Trial of Gbagbo-era security officer Jean-Noël Abehi, accused of atrocities, “desertion abroad” and “plotting” began 21 Nov. Fears over press freedom increased with mid-Nov killing of editor-in- chief of Tomorrow Magazine Désiré Oué and 18 Nov abduction of Dieusmonde Tade, journalist at Nouveau Réveil, close to coalition partner PDCI.

Preparations for 2015 presidential elections began but agreement on election mechanics still lacking. Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI)’s 12th congress began 3 Oct; former PM Konan-Bedié re-elected head of party. President Ouattara 19 Oct called on estimated 58,000 refugees in Liberia to return home; same day signed peace and security agreement with Liberian President Sirleaf-Johnson. 22 Oct shoot-out in Yopougon military garrison prompted rumours of mutiny. ICC 1 Oct confirmed pending arrest warrant for Charles Blé Goudé, minister under former president Gbagbo and leader of Young Patriots. ICC 29 Oct rejected appeal by former president Gbagbo, said he must remain in detention in The Hague pending possible trial on charges of crimes against humanity. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) 22 Oct published report criticising govt for lack of progress on impunity, notably justice ministry’s decision not to renew mandate of special investigation cell due to expire in Dec.

Negotiations between govt and 11 political formations under Framework for Permanent Dialogue (CPD) resumed 6 Sept in Grand-Bassam; Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) refused to participate. Former PM under Laurent Gbagbo Pascal Affi N’Guessan named head of FPI 7 Sept; Affi N’Guessan 8 Sept launched call for national reconciliation. Govt 20 Sept said domestic court will try ICC-sought former first lady Simone Gbagbo. President Ouattara 23 Sept met UNSG Ban, discussed progress since 2010-2011 post-election crisis and UN peacekeeping, UNSG Ban “welcomed gestures” from govt towards opposition following early-Sept govt promise to resume political dialogue. Shoot-out in Abidjan’s MACA prison 14 Sept left several injured.