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Ivorian Civil War II

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Background

The roots of the Second Ivorian Civil War trace back to the first civil war (2002–2004), which left the nation divided between a rebel-held north and a government-controlled south. Despite a peace agreement in 2007, the country remained politically unstable. The long-delayed presidential elections were finally held in 2010, aiming to reunify the nation.

2010 Presidential Election and Dispute

  • October 31, 2010: The first round of the presidential election took place.

  • November 28, 2010: The runoff was held between incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and opposition leader Alassane Ouattara.

  • December 2, 2010: The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) declared Ouattara the winner.

  • December 3, 2010: The Constitutional Council, led by a Gbagbo ally, annulled the CEI's results, citing alleged irregularities, and declared Gbagbo the winner.

Both Gbagbo and Ouattara claimed the presidency and held separate inauguration ceremonies, leading to a political standoff. The international community, including the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS, recognized Ouattara as the legitimate president.

Escalation into Armed Conflict

  • December 2010 – February 2011: Clashes erupted between forces loyal to Gbagbo and Ouattara, particularly in Abidjan and western regions. Reports emerged of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

  • March 2011: The conflict intensified. Pro-Ouattara forces, known as the Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (RFCI), launched offensives, capturing key towns and advancing towards Abidjan.

Key Incidents

  • March 17, 2011: A rocket attack in Abidjan's Abobo district killed up to 30 civilians. The UN described the shelling as a potential crime against humanity.

  • March 28–29, 2011: The Duékoué massacre occurred, with reports of over 800 civilians killed. Both pro-Gbagbo and pro-Ouattara forces were implicated in the violence.

  • March 30, 2011: The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1975, imposing sanctions on Gbagbo and his close associates, and authorized the use of "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.

Battle for Abidjan

  • March 31, 2011: RFCI forces entered Abidjan, leading to heavy fighting. Gbagbo's elite forces surrounded the presidential residence. UN peacekeepers took control of the airport after Gbagbo's forces abandoned it.

  • April 4, 2011: UN and French forces launched operations targeting Gbagbo's heavy weaponry to protect civilians and UN personnel. This included helicopter attacks on military camps and strategic positions.

  • April 5, 2011: General Philippe Mangou, Gbagbo's army chief of staff, called for a ceasefire. Despite ongoing negotiations, fighting continued in parts of the city.

Capture of Laurent Gbagbo

  • April 11, 2011: Ouattara's forces, with support from UN and French troops, stormed Gbagbo's residence. Gbagbo, his wife Simone, and close aides were arrested and taken to the Golf Hotel, Ouattara's headquarters. This marked the effective end of the conflict.

Aftermath

Following Gbagbo's arrest, President Ouattara initiated efforts to restore stability and rebuild the nation. However, the war left deep-seated divisions, with numerous reports of atrocities committed by both sides. Reconciliation and justice became central themes in the post-war period.

Key Figures

  • Laurent Gbagbo: Incumbent president refusing to cede power after the 2010 election.

  • Alassane Ouattara: Internationally recognized winner of the 2010 election and leader of the RFCI.

  • General Philippe Mangou: Gbagbo's army chief of staff who defected and later called for a ceasefire.

  • Simone Gbagbo: Wife of Laurent Gbagbo, arrested alongside him.

References

Major Causes of the Second Ivorian Civil War (2010–2011)

  1. Disputed 2010 Presidential Election – The main trigger of the conflict was the disputed results of the November 2010 presidential election. Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Alassane Ouattara, despite international recognition of Ouattara as the winner.

  2. Ethnic and Regional Divisions – Côte d'Ivoire had longstanding ethnic and regional tensions between the mainly Muslim north, which largely supported Ouattara, and the Christian/animist south, which backed Gbagbo.

  3. Failure to Fully Implement the 2007 Peace Agreement – The Ouagadougou Peace Agreement was meant to reconcile the government and rebels from the First Ivorian Civil War (2002–2007). However, many provisions, including disarmament and electoral reforms, were not fully enforced.

  4. Intervention of Militia and Mercenaries – Both sides recruited local and foreign militias. Pro-Gbagbo forces included Liberian mercenaries, while pro-Ouattara groups received support from the Forces Nouvelles rebels.

  5. International Political Influence – France, the UN, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed Ouattara, while Gbagbo's government accused them of neo-colonialism. The crisis intensified due to conflicting external pressures.

Major Effects of the Second Ivorian Civil War

  1. Humanitarian Crisis and Mass Displacement – The war resulted in over 3,000 deaths and displaced more than a million people, with thousands fleeing to neighboring Liberia and Ghana.

  2. Economic Collapse and Sanctions – Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest cocoa producer, suffered economic damage due to international sanctions, bank closures, and a trade embargo.

  3. War Crimes and Human Rights Violations – Both pro-Gbagbo and pro-Ouattara forces committed atrocities, including killings, sexual violence, and ethnic targeting. The International Criminal Court (ICC) later prosecuted Gbagbo and his allies.

  4. French and UN Military Intervention – France and UN peacekeepers launched Operation Unicorn, conducting airstrikes on Gbagbo’s forces and ultimately arresting him in April 2011.

  5. Political Transition and Reconciliation Challenges – Ouattara assumed power, but deep political divisions remained. Efforts toward reconciliation, including the Dialogue, Truth, and Reconciliation Commission (CDVR), struggled to heal ethnic and political wounds.

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