ReliefWeb

Amount of decision: EUR 5.200.000

Reference number of the decision: ECHO/CIV/BUD/2006/01000

Explanatory Memorandum

1 - Rationale, needs and target population:

1.1. - Rationale: Conflict

Côte d'Ivoire is still split in two, in the south the loyalists and in the north the "new forces"(1). The main problems at the heart of the crisis have not been addressed adequately by the international community (eligibility for the presidential elections, nationality, territorial ownership and disarmament).

Several efforts have been made to try to solve the crisis, but a lack of good will and good faith on the part of the two sides have made solving the problems impossible. The key dates laid down in the 2003 Lina-Marcoussi agreements, the 2004 Accra agreement and the 2005 Pretoria agreement were not complied with and the disarmament process has not started.

In November 2004 the cease-fire between Côte d'Ivoire's national armed forces (FANCI) and the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN), which had been in force since 17 October 2002, was violated by a series FANCI air strikes and an attempted advance by land that was contained by the peace-keeping forces.

A special summit of the African Union was convened on 14 November 2004. The AU mandated as mediator South African President Mbeki, who submitted a roadmap for peace: restoration of security; return of all government ministers; completion of the legislation agreed on in the Marcoussis agreements, including the issue of Article 35 of the Constitution setting out the conditions of eligibility to become President of the Republic, and the disarmament process.

In November 2004 the UN Security Council adopted Rsolution 1572 imposing a 12-month arms embargo in response to the crisis. There was also provision for sanctions against parties that tried to hamper the successful implementation of the Lina-Marcoussi and ACCRA III process.

The UN Security Council decided to extend until January 2006 the mandate of the stabilisation forces (the UNOCI and Force Licorne). A French draft resolution, currently being studied by the Security Council, proposes increasing the strength of the 6000 UNOCI forces by a further 2.076 and to widen its mandate to include assistance to the government for its programme of disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation, repatriation and resettlement and assistance for the dismantling of militias.

Tension in the country is still running high. In June 2005 the town of Duékoué in the government-held zone of western Côte d'Ivoire was torn apart for several days by clashes between the Guéré and Dioula ethnic groups.

The current crisis is a political and military crisis. The situation in the country is still very volatile and political tensions could lead to a deterioration of the humanitarian situation. Some small degree of normalisation has nevertheless taken place.

The elections planned for 30 October 2005 did not take place. The possibility of a transition could be envisaged but the arrangements will have to be accepted by all parties.

Notes:

(1) Coation of three rebel groups: Mouvement Patriotique de Côte d'Ivoire (MPCI), Mouvement pour la Justice et la Paix (MJP), Mouvement Populaire du Grand Ouest (MPIGO).