Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service)- Ever more deeply divided Ivory Coast is having trouble pushing ahead with its peace process. Two years since peace was signed in France on 24 January 2003 ending civil war started in September 2002, the country is still divided with the north west in the hands of various rebel groups under the banner of New Forces.
“Both sides say they intend to respect both peace agreements that of 2003 and that of last year 2004 in Accra (Ghana) but each have their own interpretation” local church source in Bouake told Fides. Bouake is the ‘capital’ of the New Forces rebels. “President Gbagbo says he has kept his commitments and that it is now up to the rebels to disarm. But the rebels say disarmament at the moment is not possible and if Gbabgo wants it he will have to impose with force”.
“Both Opposition parties and rebels accuse South African president Thabo Mbeki, AU mediator for the Ivorian crisis, of being too near Gbagbo’s position and supporting his request for a referendum to approve Constitutional amendments with regard to presidential candidacy requirements (one parent instead of both parents born in Ivory Coast). “In a country with a large immigrant community and where certain politicians promote a concept of Ivorian nationality to gain power, the proposed constitutional amendment is an important step towards national reconciliation” local sources told Fides. “However the opposition says a referendum would split the country”.
“The country is ever more deeply divided and this is seen even in religious communities. For example Muslims in the rebel controlled area are celebrating the main annual feast of the Eid-ul-Azha today, whereas in the government controlled area the feast was yesterday. This was because the rebel leaders refused to recognise the authority of the Grand Mufti of Abidjan who had announced that the feast was yesterday” local sources told Fides. “Sad to say in the north the word secession is no longer taboo and is heard ever more frequently”.
An important point of the 2003 agreement was an interim government with representatives of the President’s party, opposition parties and the rebels. “The activity of the executive is hampered because opposition and rebel ministers refuse to take part in cabinet meetings” our sources recall. “At this moment all parties have only one thought in mind, elections later this year. In fact president Gbagbo’s mandate expires on 22 October and the fight for succession could the deepen the national divide”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/1/2005 righe 40 parole 526)
