YAMOUSSOUKRO, July 10 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast's warring parties agreed a timetable on Saturday for disarmament ready for October elections.
The agreement, signed by government and rebel military chiefs of staff, made provision for disarming 40,500 rebel fighters and the return to barracks of 15,000 government troops pending reform of the national armed forces.
It also provides for the training of 600 auxiliary police officers to ensure law and order in the rebel zone during disarmament and in the run-up to elections due on Oct. 30.
The agreement took the form of a computer print-out consisting of several blocks in different colours illustrating the dates for the various phases of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration in various areas of the country.
Here is a brief summary of what was agreed.
- Legal texts to be adopted by July 15. Legal reforms agreed under 2003 Paris-sponsored peace agreement but still to be passed include the creation of an independent electoral commission and new law on nationality.
- Preparations at various disarmament sites in rebel territory to be completed between July 30 and Aug 15.
- Rebel fighters to start registration on July 31 ahead of disarmament; process to include inventory of equipment and medical examination, with neutral forces ensuring security.
- New identity cards to be issued under nationality legislation starting on July 31.
- Pro-government militias to be disarmed and disbanded by Aug. 20.
- Military personnel to start disarmament and demobilisation process in late September, to be completed by Oct. 30.
- Reinsertion of demobilised personnel into new national armed forces to start Sept. 29.