National Election Commission said presidential elections may need to be postponed until October 2008 due to slow voter registration. Move followed August declaration by President Laurent Gbagbo country could vote by end 2007. Mobile courts began issuing replacement birth certificates to undocumented residents 25 September. Former President and opposition leader Henri Konan Bedie held peaceful rally 23 September. 10 people close to exiled former rebel leader “IB” Ibrahim Coulibaly reportedly arrested 19 September, accused of planning to destabilise PM Soro’s Forces Nouvelles.

President Laurent Gbagbo said elections could be held “as soon as December 2007”. Observers, opposition expressed doubts. Mobile courts to issue identity documents still not operational; yet Prime Minister Guillaume Soro signed order 8 August creating “working group” to oversee them. In 15 August meeting, Soro assured opposition elections would be transparent. Opposition continued criticism of July UN decision to terminate position of High Representative for Elections. Program for voluntary demobilisation of some Forces Nouvelles (FN) combatants began mid-August in Bouaké.

President Gbagbo visited Forces Nouvelles (FN) stronghold of Bouaké for first time since end of war for 30 July weapon burning ceremony as symbolic start for disarmament process. Tensions had heightened following failed 29 June assassination attempt on PM Guillaume Soro in Bouaké. FN commander publicly accused French and UN peacekeepers of failing to ensure Soro’s safety, while peacekeepers denied responsibility for airport security. UN Security Council extended mandate of UNOCI and French peacekeepers to mid-January 2008. Donors’ conference agreed to €295 million aid package to support peace process.

Rocket attack on PM Guillaume Soro’s plane 29 June killed 4 but Soro spokesman and President Gbagbo said would not affect peace accord; arrests made but no clear responsibility for attack emerged. Progress continued on implementing 4 March Ouagadougou peace accord. President Laurent Gbagbo appointed judges to conduct mobile court operations for national identification; government freed civilian and military prisoners through amnesty for crimes committed as part of civil conflict; and reappointment of regional administrators in north began 18 June. Leader of loyalist Young Patriots militia, Charles Blé Goudé, visited Forces Nouvelles stronghold of Bouaké 9 June and pledged to “make peace”. First meeting of Permanent Concertation Framework was held in Yamoussoukro 12 June, attended by Gbagbo, Soro, RDR party leader Alassane Ouattara, and former President (and presidential candidate) Henri Konan Bédié. Disarmament and reintegration of military yet to begin.

Peace further consolidated as Guillaume Soro sworn in as PM 4 April. Transitional government announced 11 posts for President Laurent Gbagbo’s party and allies, 7 for Soro’s New Forces and 5 each for opposition RDR and PDCI. Gbagbo, Soro, French and UN troops agreed to December deadline for withdrawing foreign troops from buffer zone. Increase in violence around zone reported late April. President Gbagbo signed amnesty law 13 April for national security offences committed during conflict, excluding crimes against humanity, war crimes and economic crimes. World Bank agreed 20 April to lend $100 million for disarmament of former combatants in exchange for repayment of debt interest.

Major breakthrough as New Forces rebel leader Guillaume Soro named PM by presidential decree 27 March. President Laurent Gbagbo and Soro signed new peace agreement 4 March providing for power sharing in transition period. Discussions between Gbagbo and Soro delegations resumed 15 March in Ouagadougou to define institutional framework for implementation of peace deal and modalities of power sharing. ECOWAS, AU and UN Security Council endorsed peace agreement, and AU Peace and Security Council recommended (to UNSC) gradual withdrawal of international forces, as requested in accord.

UN Special Representative for West Africa, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, attended ECOWAS summit 19 January to help implement UNSC resolutions on Côte d’Ivoire supporting PM Banny and extended transition period. UNSC extended mandate of UNOCI 10 January, altering its mandate to include cooperation with UNMIL in Liberia on cross-border arms trafficking until end June 2007. Forces Nouvelles leader Guillaume Soro agreed to engage in “direct dialogue” with President Gbagbo, with Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore as facilitator, starting February 2007. Main border post between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana at Noe attacked by rebels 12 January, killing 5.

President Laurent Gbagbo presented own peace plan 19 December in response to UN Security Council’s 1 November resolution backing AU plan (and PM Konan Banny) to prolong transition period for further year. Gbagbo plan includes direct talks with Forces Nouvelles (FN), end to north-south buffer zone, new amnesty law and elections in July 2007. FN leader Guillaume Soro rejected Gbagbo plan in favour of UN plan 1 January. UNSC issued statement 21 December reiterating support for Banny, insisting he must be able to freely exercise his power. Army announced it foiled coup plot including plan to kill president, with help from “foreign military force”, implying French involvement. Violence prompted by Gbagbo’s November decree to reinstate officials suspended by PM and late November appointment of new directors of public media continued; 2 killed in demonstrations held 5-6 December in 5 southern towns. Curfew declared in western Duekoue region where inter-ethnic clashes claimed 6.

Situation potentially explosive as relations between PM Banny and President Gbagbo deteriorated. Security forces under Gbagbo control took to streets of Abidjan 28 November and demonstrations against Gbagbo’s reinstating government officials suspended over September’s deadly toxic waste scandal erupted 30 November. UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1721 1 November backing AU call to prolong transition for further 12 months. Resolution notably allows Banny to legislate independently of president and parliament, and to exert “necessary authority” over armed forces; Gbagbo refused to implement clauses contrary to constitution. Clashes between residents of Yopougon suburb and pro-government Patriot Grouping for Peace militia 3 November killed 4, while UN official briefly abducted 6 November by pro-Gbagbo militia in western town of Duekoue.

Situation remained tense as AU's Peace and Security Council, following ECOWAS recommendations, recommended 17 October to prolong fragile transition for 12 months with Laurent Gbagbo remaining president and Charles Konan Banny PM. AU suggested reinforcing powers of PM, giving authority over defence and security forces to “allow him to accomplish his tasks”, including implementation of disarmament program, voter identification process, dismantling of militias, restoration of state authority throughout country and electoral process. UNSC to pass resolution 1 November in support. Pro- Gbagbo camp insisted on full respect of constitution, which gives executive power exclusively to president.