Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service)- “At last an important step towards settling the Ivorian crisis” say local Church sources with regard to the summit held 28 February in Yamoussoukro the political capital of Côte d'Ivoire. “For the first time after years of excuses the principle actors on the political scene have come together” the sources say.
The summit was attended by President Laurent Gbagbo, the organiser prime minister Charles Konan Bann, y opposition leaders Alassane Ouattara and Henri Konan Bédié and the leader of the New Forces rebellion Guillaume Soro. At the end of the meeting the 5 participants said they had agreed to meet “frequently to discuss problems relative to the peace process”, and were committed “guaranteeing serene political activity”. In a final statement the participants recognised the arbitration of the United Nations over the electoral commission charged with preparing general elections and they promised to implement the process of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reinsertion of soldiers, setting a calendar for the stages of the process. They said regional bodies such as CEDEAO, West Africa Economic Community must be involved in the peace process.
“The national press welcomed the outcome of the meeting and said Premier Banny had won the challenge to build reciprocal trust among the parties” the sources say.
The Ivorian crisis broke in 2002 when rebels mutinied and took control of the north west of the country. Since then the country has been split in two with the north and west have been in the hands of the New Forces rebels.
An agreement signed in France in January 2003, which established among other things a national unity government, was never fully implemented partly because rebel ministers refused to take part in government meetings.
“The path ahead is long but at last we are on the way. The international community must keep up pressure on Ivorian leaders to stay on course. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 2/3/2006 righe 33 parole 298)
