Month ended with uncertainty and fears of unrest after failure to agree on new Prime Minister. Rebel Forces Nouvelles unilaterally declared leader Guillaume Soro PM end October, President Gbagbo remained in power despite opposition protests demanding his resignation with end of election mandate. UN Security Council extended peace process to October 2006 and endorsed AU recommendation Gbagbo remain in  power until elections held, urged appointment of new PM “acceptable to all Ivorian parties” with substantive powers. UN said increased smuggling of cocoa, cotton, diamonds helping fund rebels, and human rights and security situation deteriorating. AU Peace and Security Council to set up International Working Group and Forum for National Dialogue. Human Rights Watch said army recruiting Liberians including child soldiers.

Peace process on brink of collapse as ex- rebel Forces Nouvelles rejected South African President Mbeki as AU mediator and UN accepted elections will not be held as planned 30 October. South Africa suggested FN main obstacle to peace; FN accused South Africa of bias towards Gbagbo and covert weapon sales to government, in breach of UN embargo. Nigerian President Obasanjo called for renewed engagement of Ecowas regional body; Gbagbo rejected suggestion and did not attend Ecowas talks held Abuja 30 September; Ecowas recommendations to be submitted to AU 6 October. Former Ivorian President Henri Konan Bedié - deposed in 1999 - returned to country 12 September.

Forces Nouvelles withdrew from peace process 25 August, saying would not take part in 30 October elections. Ex-rebels said reforms passed last month in accordance with Pretoria agreement inadequate; SA President Thabo Mbeki met with ex-rebel leaders, warned of UN sanctions if peace obstructed. At month-end South Africa denied earlier reports it was ending mediation role. Continued hindrance to UN peacekeeping efforts as angry mobs impeded UN troop movement in Gagnoa and Agboville; in separate incident, Moroccan peacekeeper killed in Bouake. Former army head Mathias Doue threatened to overthrow President Gbagbo.

Stalemate in Ivorian peace process with Forces Nouvelles rebels refusing to disarm until government passes laws stipulated by Pretoria agreement. Warring parties had initially agreed new timetable for disarmament to begin 4 weeks before October presidential elections; UN Security Council warned of sanctions if delayed. President Gbagbo passed reform laws 15 July, but G7 alliance criticised reforms as falling short of Pretoria agreement and questioned Gbagbo’s commitment. Portuguese diplomat Antonio Monteiro appointed UN envoy to help October elections. 5 policemen reportedly killed Abidjan and 17 assailants, 7 soldiers killed in Agboville violence: ruling party and rebels blamed each other, military prosecutor said assailants were from neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, UNOCI commander said no evidence of large-scale combat.

Disarmament failed to begin by 27 June deadline set by May 2005 Pretoria accords; at further South African-mediated talks sides agreed to disarm by end-August and implement legal reforms; South Africa warned of sanctions should sides fail to comply. UN Security Council voted to expand UN force by 850 soldiers and 375 police 24 June. Earlier, 100 people killed in interethnic clashes in Duékoué - Forces Nouvelles insurgents and supporters of President Gbagbo blamed each other. Gbagbo undertook private visit to U.S.; attempt to meet U.S. Sec. State Condoleezza Rice rebuffed. 62 military jeeps found Abidjan port in potential violation of embargo in place since November 2004.

Peace process progressed with agreement on disarmament to begin end June following month of false starts in negotiations; World Bank to provide half funding; 4 pro-government militias symbolically began disarmament 25 May. 4 main opposition parties, including those of former President Henri Bedié and former PM Alassane Ouattara, agreed common “platform for democracy and peace” 18 May to democratically remove current President Gbagbo in planned 30 October presidential elections.

In major step forward South African mediator suggested – and Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo conceded – that Gbagbo’s principal rival, Alassane Ouattara, could stand in 30 October presidential elections. Followed Pretoria peace deal signed by warring parties 6 April; commitments include militia disarmament, UN supervision of electoral process, return of Forces Nouvelles ministers to government and re- examination of laws not in conformity with 2003 Linas- Marcoussis accords. However, mutual confidence low and details of disarmament process unclear: rebel and government chiefs of staff agreed 14 May start-date and heavy-weapon drawback from 21 April, but timetable open to further discussion at Yamoussoukro seminar 2-6 May.

UN Sec.-Gen. Kofi Annan repeated call for extra 1,200 peacekeepers, warning of degenerating security, particularly in west; 16 reported killed in clashes. Local militias increasingly armed, while presence of Liberian mercenaries reported. African Union-backed political mediation led by South African President Mbeki stalled; further meeting scheduled for Pretoria early April. Lack of political movement led to doubts over viability of October elections and fears government or Forces Nouvelles (FN) rebels may seek military solution; sides exchanged accusations and counter-accusations of imminent attacks throughout month. FN claimed New Zealand passport- holder arrested 12 March intended to assassinate FN leaders. Youth groups supporting President Gbagbo demanded removal of UN and French Licorne missions – both mandates up for renewal 4 April; counter-demonstrations took place rebel-held Bouaké supporting international presence.

Forces Nouvelles (FN) said mediation efforts were “definitively buried” by pro-government militia attack on FN in Logouale 28 February, north of UN-protected “Zone de Confiance”. Army chief had earlier warned of possible government offensive; head of UN peacekeeping mission, General Fall, called for strengthened mandate to take account of tension and allow for disarmament, amidst rumours President Gbagbo may call for UN withdrawal if FN not disarmed. UN Security Council resolution noted Secretary- General’s call for troop increase; earlier in month President Chirac said 4,000-strong French force would withdraw if requested by African leaders; France to withdraw 600 troops for “budgetary reasons”. Gbagbo sought to replace South African mediation with Moroccan; Morocco rejected role. Two died in clashes between police and Gbagbo-loyalist militia in Abidjan’s Adjame suburb.

South African President Mbeki’s African Union (AU)-backed peace mission so far failed to break political deadlock. President Gbagbo continued to insist on referendum to approve change to constitution’s Article 35 on presidential eligibility; opposition charged referendum impossible in split country without electoral register. AU Gabon conference communiqué called for strengthening of UN ONUCI peacekeepers and stated referendum “one of the options”; rebel Forces Nouvelles accused Gbagbo of preparing for war and Mbeki of “betrayal”. Abuja AU summit 30 January soured by Ivorian claims neighbours profiting from instability, while UN confirmed existence of human rights blacklist of Ivorians who could face criminal proceedings. Residents of Abidjan’s Adjame suburb protested against Gbagbo-supporting Groupe Patriotique pour la Paix militia, accusing them of extortion. UN authorised repairs (but not rearming) of Ivorian air planes damaged in French attack November 2004. Draft Security Council resolution to be voted on February would give increased stop-and-search powers to UN peacekeepers.