Legislative elections held 11 Dec in relative calm despite 7 Dec rocket blast at campaign rally in Grand-Lahou that killed 3. President Ouattara’s Rally of Republicans (RDR) secured 127 of 254 parliamentary seats, Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) 77; 36% turnout partly due to boycott by former President Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front (FPI). 10 injured 15 Dec in shootout in Yopougon between Republican Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FRCI) and militia loyal to Honoré Sea. Ouattara 20 Dec announced creation of military police to rein in rogue security forces after FRCI elements killed at least 6 in Vavoua 17-18 Dec. 4 killed, 3 injured in clashes 25-26 Dec between indigenous Abidji and FRCI in Sikensi. Gbagbo 5 Dec appeared before ICC for crimes against humanity; hearing scheduled for June.

Former President Gbagbo transferred to ICC 29 Nov to face 4 counts of crimes against humanity. 2 killed 3 Nov in clashes between opposing ethnic groups in Pelezi and Bahe Sebon towns in West. 1 killed, 11 wounded 9 Nov in clash between Dozo traditional hunters supporting President Ouattara and Gouro ethnic group members. UN SRSG Bert Koenders 16 Nov said security, logistical challenges remain ahead of 11 Dec polls. Parliamentary vote list closed 21 Nov: 4 parties supporting Gbagbo put forward 20 candidates; Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) continued boycott, said some former members had registered as independents. Govt 23 Nov announced deployment of 25,000 security forces ahead of polls. Appeal court 9 Nov released 12 Gbagbo aides; 45 remain in jail.

ICC judges 3 Oct authorized investigation into alleged crimes committed since 28 Nov 2010 and in future; Chief Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo, visiting country mid-Oct, said ICC will probe 3-6 people for involvement in atrocities, did not release names; national authorities should investigate other suspects. Captain Seka Yapo Anselme, military commander wanted for serious crimes committed as aide-de-camp to former first lady Simone Gbagbo, arrested 15 Oct. 21 arrested, weapons seized 15 Oct after attempted attack by dissident gendarmes on Agban military base. UNOCI spokesman 13 Oct reiterated commitment to provide security for 11 Dec legislative elections; Ivorian Popular Front 26 Oct announced intention to boycott unless Gbagbo and other party members released.

PM Guillaume Soro 10 Sept announced parliamentary elections no later than 15 Dec; 11 Sept said his former rebel movement Forces Nouvelles (FN) will join ruling coalition RHDP. 23 killed 16 Sept including 13 civilians in attack on govt troops in Ziriglo, Tai region, near Liberian border, blamed on Liberian mercenaries loyal to former president Gbabgo. Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) 20 Sept suspended participation in Independent Election Commission, criticised ruling party’s refusal to engage in dialogue on security, composition of electoral body, preparations for legislative election. Govt 29 Sept announced polls will be held 11 Dec, opened talks with FPI aimed at securing participation in elections. Truth and Reconciliation Commission inaugurated 28 Sept to address abuses during post-election violence.

Arrests of figures loyal to former president Laurent Gbagbo continued. Public prosecutor Simplice Kouadio Koffi 5 Aug announced arrest warrant for Pastor Mamadou Koné, influential figure in Gbagbo regime who rejected Nov 2010 election results; 57 soldiers from Gbagbo regime arrested 11 Aug, charged with attacking state security, buying arms, kidnap, murder. Observers continue to question lack of arrests of forces loyal to President Ouattara. Gbagbo and wife charged 18 Aug with economic crimes, placed under preventive detention; Gbagbo also charged with embezzlement of public funds, attacks on national economy, theft, pillage. Regional media foundation appealed to Ouattara “to respect the independence” of Ivorian Broadcasting Corporation (RTI) and other state media following his 30 July dismissal of RTI Director-General. Acting UNOCI human rights chief 12 Aug stated Ivorian forces have carried out 26 extrajudicial executions, 85 illegal arrests, 11 rapes since July, mainly in south.

Further tentative progress toward reconciliation following post-election crisis. President Ouattara 20 July established commission of enquiry into post-election turmoil: will investigate violence, rights abuses. Ouattara 7 July named former rebel commander Gen Soumaila Bakayoko head of armed forces; several other senior security positions awarded to officials who served under former president Gbagbo. Head of Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front 12 July resigned, citing inability of party hardliners to accept defeat, form credible opposition. UN 1 July said it will open 8 new peacekeeping bases in west. UNOCI head 18 July said Gbagbo loyalists no longer pose threat to peace. West African leaders 17 July called on UN, ECOWAS to boost security along Liberian border amid continuing influx of mercenaries from CDI. Public prosecutor 1 July issued arrest warrants for several top Gbagbo aides, including head of youth militia, in relation to post-election violence; justice minister 11 July said 24 Gbagbo aides imprisoned in north. French PM Fillon 15 July pledged additional €3bn aid, enhanced security cooperation. UN 27 July renewed UNOCI mandate. Amnesty International 27 July reported hundreds of thousands of displaced unable to return home due to security fears.

President Ouattara 1 June named cabinet; includes no members of former president Laurent Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front. UN HCHR 15 June reported credible evidence of crimes against humanity by supporters of both Ouattara and Gbagbo during 4-month post-election crisis. Human Rights Watch 2 June said killing, torture ongoing throughout country; reported 149 suspected Gbagbo supporters killed by Ouattara forces since mid-Apr. In latest incident, 2 killed, dozens injured in 9 June attack on Becouesin village, north of Abidjan. Following accusations of partiality, govt 15 June announced commission to investigate abuses by both sides; ICC prosecutor 17 June requested authority to begin own investigation. Abidjan prosecutor 26 June announced charges against 15 Gbagbo associates; Gbagbo and others remain under house arrest.

Month saw return of some stability following formal investiture 6 May, inauguration 21 May of President Alassane Ouattara. Ouattara pledged unity govt, promised legislative elections by year-end; 22 May announced current PM Soro will retain post. Interim leader of former president Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front 25 May said party may not join govt until Gbagbo, other senior figures released. Govt 4 May claimed last remnants of militia loyal to Gbagbo defeated in Yopougon district, Abidjan; UN reported fighting later month in west. Ouattara 1 May appointed former PM Banny as head of Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 18 May requested ICC investigation of events during 5-month crisis. UN HRC 10 May reported discovery of mass graves in Yopougon. Amnesty International 25 May reported war crimes, crimes against humanity by supporters of Ouattara and Gbagbo during crisis, violations ongoing in west.

Five-month election crisis ended as forces loyal to president-elect Alassane Ouattara 11 Apr arrested former president Laurent Gbagbo after 10-day siege of presidential residence. Arrest followed increasingly robust action by UNOCI, French forces acting under civilian protection mandate in UNSC resolution 1975. Reports suggested brutal reprisal attacks by pro-Ouattara forces before and after arrests including operations against remaining Gbagbo supporters, particularly in Yopougon area of Abidjan. Ouattara 22 Apr ordered all troops back to barracks in bid to end attacks, restore stability. Pascal Affi N’Guessan, leader of Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front, 16 Apr urged end to violence, moves toward reconciliation. Ouattara 13 Apr called for ICC investigation into atrocities by both sides, promised truth and reconciliation commission; govt 27 Apr launched preliminary investigations into Gbagbo and some 100 close associates over alleged rights abuses. Signs of split in pro-Ouattara coalition emerged 20 Apr as mainly northern Forces Republicaines de Côte d’Ivoire clashed with Abidjan-based “Invisible Commando” militia; commando chief Ibrahim Coulibaly killed 27 Apr. UNSC renewed arms embargo mandate, targeted sanctions until Apr 2012.

Month saw slide into civil war as fighting intensified in Abidjan between forces loyal to incumbent President Gbagbo and those allied to president-elect Alassane Ouattara; also reports of sexual violence, summary executions, individuals burnt alive, heavy fighting across country. Gbagbo spokesman 29 March called for immediate ceasefire after pro-Ouattara rebels made rapid gains same day in east and west; rebels 30 March seized official capital Yamoussoukro, major cocoa port San Pedro. Gbagbo army chief defected same day. Pro-Ouattara rebels 31 March reached Abidjan, attacked Gbagbo’s presidential residence, seized state-owned TV station. Heavy fighting also spread to at least 5 Abidjan districts over month. Gbagbo forces 3 March gunned down 7 women protesters, 17 March shelled market area in Abobo district, killing 25 civilians. Unidentified armed men 17 March attacked ministry of defence, repelled by Gbagbo forces. Ouattara same day announced creation of Forces Republicaines de Cote d’Ivoire (FRCI) comprising former Forces Nouvelles rebels and army defectors, and in televised address urged Gbagbo to agree to national unity govt, fusion of armed forces, truth and reconciliation commission. UNHCR 25 March estimated up to one million IDPs from renewed conflict. ECOWAS 24 March issued statement urging legitimate use of force to oust Gbagbo as previously referred to in its Dec decisions, called on UNSC to “facilitate immediate transfer of power”. UNSC 30 March unanimously approved resolution demanding end to violence; imposed additional sanctions on Gbagbo, also his wife and 3 associates; stopped short of ICC deferral.