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Côte d'Ivoire Crisis: WANEP Policy Briefs Update - December 3, 2002

Executive Summary

Our previous briefing evoked the likelihood of resumption of hostilities between the Ivorian government forces (FANCI) and the rebel MPCI because of apparent inability of the Lomé Peace Talks to broker the much needed peace. Despite the concessions made by the government of Laurent Gbagbo such as the reinstatement of the hitherto exiled soldiers and the to-be demobilized recruits, the general amnesty on the rebels and the liberation of all prisoners related to the rebel attack. The rebels have adamantly remained steadfast to their demands. We equally anticipated a war of proximity in the western part of the country should General Guei's supporters decide to seek revenge. The prevailing situation seems to be in resonance with WARN's analysis.

While the peace process drags on in Lomé, two different rebellions erupted since Thursday November 28 and overran the towns of Danané and Man. The Movement for Peace and Justice in Côte d'Ivoire (MJP) of Major Félix Doh and the Popular Ivorian Movement of the Greater West (MPIGO) of Sergeant Denis Gaspard say they have nothing to do with the MPCI. Their mission, according to their spokespersons is to avenge the death of General Guei by marching into Abidjan. This western front rebellion on Saturday clashed with the French forces supervising the truce.

The ECOWAS interposition force to be commanded by Senegal is yet to deploy as President Abdoulaye Wade insists on a political breakthrough in Lomé before any deployment of a peacekeeping force. The gloomy scenario of the Sierra Leonean and Liberian civil war is looming over Côte d'Ivoire. The ongoing hostility between the Ivorian government forces (FANCI) and the MJP-MPIGO and the reported looting and plunder by the latter has ushered in a new phase in the Ivorian crisis. The alleged involvement of recruits from Liberia and other "experienced" West African neighbours complicates the case the more.