UNSC 12 Oct discussed leaked group of experts report alleging supporters of former president Gbagbo using Ghana as rear base to destabilise CDI, recruiting mercenaries in Liberia, met with Malian junta members and sought to recruit Islamist extremists from northern Mali. Report also alleged President Ouattara violated arms embargo during first year in office. Govt 8 Oct reopened borders closed after Sept border-post attack by suspected pro-Gbagbo elements. Ghanaian authorities 15 Oct arrested 43 Ivorian ex-combatants suspected of involvement in subversive activities in refugee camp near CDI border; 24 Oct released former Gbagbo spokesman Justin Koné Katinan on bail. Unknown gunmen 13-14 Oct attacked police station, gendarmerie brigade, military barracks in Bonoa town, leaving 2 dead; 27 Oct attacked prosecutor’s residence in Gagnoa. Authorities 11 Oct found 6 bodies in mass grave in Duékoué. Military court 11 Oct sentenced general Brunot Dogbo Blé, accused of killing retired colonel-major Adama Dosso during post-electoral crisis, to 15 years jail. Amnesty International, local NGOs, 30 Oct issued joint communiqué criticising continued human rights violations.

Gunmen 20 Sept attacked 2 police stations, 1 gendarmerie post in Port-Bouët, south of Abidjan, killing at least 3. At least 10 killed, including 5-7 assailants, in 21 Sept attack on border post in Noé; authorities said attackers came from Ghana, temporarily closed border. Ghanaian authorities 14 Sept arrested 3 men suspected of plotting coup in Côte d’Ivoire, 5 Sept said considering extradition of former Gbagbo spokesman Justin Koné Katinan, arrested in Aug. Military court 12 Sept launched investigation into Sept 2002 killing of ex-president/junta leader Gen Gueï, 13 Sept indicted ex-bodyguard of former first lady Simone Gbagbo, Anselme Séka, suspected of involvement in assassinations of Gen Gueï, Franco-Canadian reporter Guy-André Kieffer, and links to “death squads”. Young Patriots militia leader Charles Blé Goudé 20 Sept expressed desire to participate in Truth, Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission.

Month saw violence across country: 4 killed in 4-5 Aug raids on Yopougon district police precinct; 6 killed in 6 Aug assault on Akouédo military camp; 5 killed in 15-16 Aug attacks on military camp, prison in Dabou, 113 inmates escaped; 12-13 Aug attacks on 2 military outposts in Toulépleu area near Liberia killed 1, Liberian security forces 15 Aug said 6 suspects arrested; 4 killed in 25 Aug security forces clash with gunmen in Grand-Lahou. Military prosecutor 30 Aug said 73 detained over attacks. Pro-govt newspapers accused Ivoirian Popular Front (FPI) of orchestrating attacks; FPI denied allegations, 22 Aug accused govt of orchestrating 18 Aug raid on FPI HQ that left 2 injured, 19 Aug looting of pro- Gbagbo newspaper offices. Authorities 18 Aug arrested FPI deputy Sec Gen Alphonse Douati; court 31 Aug sentenced Sec Gen Laurent Akoun, arrested 26 Aug, to 6 months in jail for “disturbing public order”. National Commission of Inquiry (CNE) 8 Aug released findings of investigation into 2010-2011 post-electoral violence, said govt forces responsible for 700 deaths, pro-Gbagbo forces 1,400. Defence Minister Koffi Koffi 21 Aug said army will begin combing Peko mountain area to root out remaining insurgents. Govt requested extradition of former Gbagbo spokesman Justin Koné Katinan for alleged crimes as budget minister, suspected role in June 2011 coup attempt, following 24 Aug arrest in Ghana. ICC 3 Aug announced new hearing postponement for former president Gbagbo, reportedly due to health concerns.

FRCI, ethnic Malinkés/Dioulas 20 July attacked UN- guarded IDP camp hosting ethnic Guerés, reportedly in response to 17 July killing of 4 Duékoué residents which locals blamed on camp-dwellers; residents claimed camp under control of former pro-Gbagbo militia which frequently robbed neighbouring houses; UNOCI, govt 21 July blamed each other for security lapses. Govt 13 July met with opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), marking first real attempt to resume political dialogue; FPI continued to demand Gbagbo liberation. In second prison break in 2 months, 12 inmates escaped from Abidjan’s main prison 9 July. Court 10 July charged 2 Gbagbo allies on count of genocide, bringing to 8 total number of people charged with genocide.

7 UN peacekeepers, 10 civilians killed 6 June in SW by militias from Liberia; 5 civilians killed 11 June in attacks on Ivorian border villages; UN official 21 June said over 13,000 people in SW have fled homes since attacks; PM Ahousso-Kouadio 19 June blamed “last jolts” of Gbagbo regime. President Ouattara 15 June called for better regional cooperation to tackle insecurity, illicit arms flows. Govt 13 June announced foiled coup plot by suspected Gbagbo loyalists following rumours Gbagbo could be granted temporary release by ICC. Ex-Gbagbo ally Moïse Lida Kouassi arrested 7 June in Togo.

UNOCI 7 May asked govt to consider “situation in jails as top priority” following 4 May prison escape by 52 inmates, including several pro-Gbagbo hardliners. At least 4 killed 13 May in clashes between security forces and armed gang in Bangolo. Govt 23 May issued 30-day ultimatum calling on all persons illegally holding weapons to voluntarily disarm. Deputy Defence Minister Koffi Koffi 10 May said CDI, Liberia agreed to deploy troops to borders. Govt 19 May banned pro-Gbagbo daily Notre Voie for 5 days following publication of Gbagbo photo labelled “President of Republic deposed by ‘UN-France coalition’”.

President Ouattara 21-24 April visited towns in west for first time since 2010/2011 post-electoral conflict, called for national reconciliation, said will seek solution to conflicts over land tenure. Police early April arrested Rodrigue Dadjé, lawyer of ex- first lady Simone Gbagbo, charged him with threatening national security, intention to start rebellion. Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) Secretary General Laurent Akoun early April said FPI ready for dialogue with govt.

President Ouattara 13 March declared himself defence minister in cabinet reshuffle, named Jeannot Ahoussou Kouadio PM as part of pre-election deal with Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire; outgoing PM Soro named National Assembly president in controversial vote. ICC investigators 14 March announced possible discovery of mass grave near Duékoué where fighters loyal to Ouattara suspected of killing hundreds during post-electoral conflict.

Continued concerns over President Ouattara’s lack of control over army (FRCI); at least 3 killed, 20 injured in ethnic clashes between Agni, Malinkés and army members in Arrah 12-13 Feb over continued policing of area by former northern rebels integrated into FRCI; 6 killed in attack by unidentified commandos 21 Feb in western town of Tai. Unknown gunmen 26 Feb shot at Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) convoy near IEC office in Bonon; at least 5 killed. HRW 23 Feb requested 6 month extension of national commission of inquiry investigating 2010-2011 post-election violence. ICC 23 Feb announced extension of temporal mandate to cover crimes committed since 19 Sep 2002.

Ivorian Popular Front rally in Yopougon attacked 21 Jan by alleged pro-Ouattara youths; 1 killed, dozens injured. President Ouattara 26 Jan met French President Sarkozy, signed agreement reducing French military personnel in country to 300. U.S. Sec State Clinton 17 Jan met Ouattara, reportedly requested PM Guillaume Soro be transferred to ICC to face crimes against humanity charges.