Some progress in delayed electoral preparations, but concerns that 30 Nov polls increasingly unlikely. UNOCI 10 Aug delivered first batch of equipment for voter registration; initial EU mission arrived 6 Aug to assess conditions for 100 observers; identification process extended to 12 Sept. President Gbagbo 30 Aug nominated as Ivorian Popular Front party candidate. UNOCI 14 Aug began 6-month $4m ex-combatant reintegration initiative. Some 300 ex-rebel FN forces protested in Bouaké 18-24 Aug in further unrest over non-payment of military demobilisation packages.

Govt 21 July halved ministers’ pay and re- introduced fuel subsidies after 6 July withdrawal, ending week- long protests in Abidjan. President Gbagbo 22 July threatened to dissolve “ineffective” consensus govt, 24 July said voter identification delays put 30 Nov elections at risk, prompting opposition outcry. Bouaké calm early month after ex-rebel FN soldiers rioted mid-June, with talks ending 2 July. But mixed FN- army gendarmes 26-27 July blocked Bouaké-Yamoussouko road in further non-payment protests. Arab donors 1 July agreed $463m loan for infrastructure development, reinsertion of ex-combatants. UNSC 29 July renewed mandate of UNOCI, French peacekeepers for further 6 months.

Ex-rebel FN soldiers rioted in Bouaké 15-17 June over delayed disarmament payouts; govt 19 June said initial payments ready. FN reported 28 June clashes between dissident rebels, FN forces in west with 3 civilians, 1 dissident dead. Events followed UNSC envoy 10 June praise for peace process ahead of 30 Nov elections. Voter identification to begin 1 July. French court 4 June sentenced ex-rebel leader Ibrahim Coulibaly in absentia to 4 years for 2004 coup plot, 8 accomplices received up to 30 months.

Former rebel Forces Nouvelles (FN) renewed faltering disarmament effort 2 May with 5-month program ahead of 30 Nov elections. Mobile courts issuing identity documents finished work 15 May.

Electoral Commission 14 Apr set delayed presidential elections for 30 Nov to increase time for voter registration, disarmament. Govt 17 Apr signed voter identification deal with French firm Sagem. Former rebel Forces Nouvelles (FN) announced new drive to integrate troops into national army or civilian life, to begin 2 May. Dismantlement of ONUCI observation posts in former “zone of confidence” neared completion; 2 of 17 remain. UN expert group 7 Apr report alleged multiple violations of 2004 UN arms embargo by national army and FN. Ex-rebel leader Ibrahim Coulibaly (IB) sentenced 31 March by French tribunal to 4 years, accomplice Paul Leonelli 3 years, for involvement in 2003 coup attempt.

President Gbagbo reiterated possible election postponement beyond June, citing disarmament delays in north. 3 Forces Nouvelles (FN) disarmament centres transferred from ONUCI to government control, marking start of FN reintegration process; 118 ex-rebels surrendered weapons mid-month. Pro- government militia Greater West Resistance Forces (FRGO) head demanded government deliver promised demobilisation payouts to 1,000 fighters after pay plan halted, threatened unrest. 1 civilian killed in 24-25 March army riots over soldier murder in western towns Duekoue, Guiglo following demands for security improvements. Police forcefully dispersed 1,500-strong protest against rising food prices in Cocody, Yopougon 31 March.

Electoral Commission announced possible deferral of June presidential elections after meeting with PM Soro 19 Feb, citing technical issues. French firm Sagem to begin voter identification process after Soro set out tasks 22 Feb. New working group on army restructuring created 20 Feb. General Bakayoko announced cantonment process for ex-rebel soldiers to start early March. UNOCI continued dismantling observation posts in former “zone of confidence” in line with March 2007 Ouagadougou agreement, announcing further removal of 10 military camps. Trial to begin 10 March for ex-rebel leader “IB” Ibrahim Coulibaly and 12 others suspected of 2003 coup attempt involvement; IB remains in hiding. Government announced Radio France Internationale, off-air since 1 Feb, to be closed indefinitely, citing “unbalanced information”.

10 arrested,  including French journalist, charged with plotting coup. Accused allegedly linked to former rebel leader “IB” Ibrahim Coulibaly. He rejected accusations from exile; said planning to contest proposed June 2008 presidential poll. UNSC renewed UNOCI mandate 15 Jan; extended to 30 July to help with election organisation. Army head, Maj. Gen. Philippe Mangou, announced 24 Jan withdrawal of 12,000 loyalist soldiers from frontlines and regrouping in barracks completed.

Independent Electoral Commission code of conduct adopted by major political parties 14 November. French company chosen to conduct technical aspects of politically sensitive voter identification program; still to be confirmed by presidential decree. Force Nouvelles (FN) elements fired warning shots to disperse demonstrators in FN stronghold Bouake 2 November after attacked with stones during protest over electricity bills. President Gbagbo and PM Soro met Burkina Faso President Compaoré in Ouagadougou 27 November to agree on technical details of voter identification and new June 2008 target date for elections. Gbagbo visited northern FN-controlled towns 28-30 November as symbolic act of reunification.

UNSG Ban Ki-moon reported “slackening of momentum” in peace process 1 October; 19 October UN report claimed reduced cooperation in arms monitoring – in particular by Republican Guard units. UNSC adopted resolution for one-year extension of sanctions 29 October.