Court 5 Aug provisionally released 14 supporters of former president Gbagbo, including his son Michel Gbagbo and former Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) Sec Gen Pascal Affi N’Guessan, pending criminal trials. Early-Aug reports suggested President Ouattara’s govt sending undercover agents to Ghana to abduct or assassinate Gbagbo supporters. Lawyers of minister under Gbagbo Charles Blé Goudé 5 Aug said he was being tortured in prison. National Assembly 23 Aug adopted nationality and land tenure bills. Ghanaian authorities 29 Aug said will not extradite former Gbagbo spokesman Justin Koné Katinan.

Court 11 July confirmed charges against over 80 figures from regime of former president Gbagbo, including former first lady Simone and son Michel Gbagbo, for war crimes, economic crimes and genocide. President Ouattara 4 July confirmed he would seek re-election in Nov 2015 polls. National Disarmament Authority (ADDR) convoy attacked 1 July by unknown gunmen, 1 killed and several wounded. At least 3 killed in clashes between villagers and gold miners near Bouaflé 10 July. Ivorian Popular Front 15 July rejected Ouattara’s call to “atone” for crimes committed during 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis. ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda 20 July concluded 3-day visit to country. New UN SRSG Aïchatou Mindaoudou arrived in Abidjan.

ICC judges 3 June said evidence against former president Gbagbo currently insufficient for trial, extended prosecution investigations to 15 Nov 2013; victim groups demonstrated in Abidjan 17 June. Authorities 10 June arrested Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) youth branch leader Justin Koua on suspicion of involvement in “destabilisation activities”. UN independent expert on human rights Doudou Diène 15 June said govt restricting political activity, arresting party members without charge “or under generic charge of damaging state security”, suggested extending mandate of National Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CDVR) beyond Sept 2013, reiterated call for arms embargo to be lifted. 

Security forces 13 May used tear gas to disperse hundreds of students protesting poor conditions at Cocody university, Abidjan. President Ouattara 2-5 May visited western region, announced reforms on land tenure and nationality issues will be implemented soon, said Council of Ministers will be held in western region every 2 months. Security forces 18 May arrested Burkinabe militia leader Amadé Ouérémi, suspected of complicity in massacre of 300 people in Duekoué during 2011 post-electoral crisis. France 27 May revealed 10 Egyptian jihadis arrested in March/April, said French interests targeted because of involvement in Mali.

Municipal and regional elections held 21 April despite Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) boycott. 36% turnout; independent candidates came first with 34% of local council seats, ahead of Rally of the Republicans (RDR) (30%) and Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) (23%), though most independent candidates from RDR ruling party. Countrywide clashes began 22 April, including between supporters of ruling coalition members PDCI and RDR, particularly in Yamoussoukro, Mankono, Bonon, Lakota, Kouamassi and Adjamé communes of Abidjan. Unidentified gunmen attacked police station in Abidjan 9 April. UN Group of Experts report late April accused former FN rebels of involvement in trafficking of cacao and other resources.

At least 7 people, including 2 FRCI, killed and over 1,000 displaced in raid by unknown gunmen on Zilébly town, near Liberian border, 13 March; several media reports blamed attack on “assailants from Liberia”. Army reported 3 gunmen attempting to raid border village killed 23 March. Govt 11 March inaugurated 750-strong Centre for Coordination of Operational Decision-making in Abidjan to tackle insecurity in capital. Authorities 1 March released senior Ivorian Popular Front leader Laurent Akoun.

Govt 14 Feb announced local elections set for 21 April; opposition Ivorian Popular Front 15 Feb said party will boycott polls; UN SRSG Koenders 20 Feb advised authorities to revise electoral register. Govt 17 Feb ratified ICC Rome Statute; ICC Prosecutor Bensouda 19 Feb confirmed charges pending against former president Gbagbo, said prosecution will show Gbagbo is responsible for killings of at least 166, rape of at least 34. Police in Abidjan 15 Feb tear-gassed demonstration demanding liberation of Gbagbo. Clashes between FRCI and villagers in Affery, north of Abidjan, over extortion rackets 17-18 Feb left 2 dead, 3 injured. Deputy Defence Minister Koffi Koffi said govt dismantlement of roadblocks manned by “Dozo” traditional hunters began mid-month, 20,000 ex-combatants to be reintegrated in 2013. President Ouattara 20 Feb ordered Guinean military forces reportedly “occupying” Kpeaba village near border since late Jan to leave.

Ghanaian authorities 17 Jan arrested Charles Blé Goudé, former head of Young Patriots street militia and member of former president Gbagbo’s inner circle, in joint police operation with CDI; Blé Goudé extradited to CDI, charged with war crimes, murder and theft of public funds. Govt and Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) 18 Jan resumed political dialogue; local elections initially scheduled 24 Feb postponed indefinitely. IMF chief Christine Lagarde 7 Jan said economy on “right track”, growth predicted to exceed 8.5% in 2013.

UN panel of experts report on Liberia 7 Dec stated cross-border raids by mercenaries, armed groups, and supporters of former president Gbagbo from Liberia into CDI becoming more violent, better organised, could have profound effects on regional security. ICC ruling 12 Dec confirmed its jurisdiction to try former president Gbagbo. Delegation of Ivorian Popular Front 13 Dec met Senegalese President Sall in Dakar to discuss stalled domestic reconciliation efforts. Gunmen 20-21 Dec attacked gendarmerie garrison in Abidjan and military post in Agbaou, 100km north of Abidjan.

President Ouattara 14 Nov dismissed PM Ahoussou- Kouadio in cabinet reshuffle following apparent dispute between parties of governing coalition during parliamentary committee debate, 21 Nov appointed FM Kablan Duncan as new PM but remains in charge of defence portfolio. ICC 2 Nov said former president Gbagbo fit to stand trial, 22 Nov unsealed arrest warrant for former first lady Simone Gbagbo. Human Rights Watch 19 Nov reported continued human rights violations by national army (FRCI); govt early month removed military police chief Zacaria Koné and head of military operations for Abobo Gaoussou Koné, both suspected of gross human rights violations. International and Ivorian human rights groups 2 Nov called on authorities to end rights violations, promote impartial justice and reconciliation.