|
??1999 |
| 23 Dec: |
Mutiny
by soldiers demanding payment of allowances owed to them for
peacekeeping duty in Central African Republic. |
| 24-25 Dec: |
A
former army chief of staff, Gen Robert Guei (1990-1995), announces
the destitution of the government of President Henri Konan Bedie,
the dissolution of parliament and other state organs, and the
formation of the Comite national de salut publique (CNSP - National
Public Salvation Committee). Leaders of the opposition Rassemblement
des Republicains (RDR) detained since October are freed. Bedie
is evacuated by the French military to Lome, Togo, before continuing
on to Paris. |
| ? |
? |
|
??2000 |
| 4
Jan: |
New
transitional government announced. The Front populaire ivoirien
(FPI) withdraws in protest against what it sees as over-representation
of the RDR in the cabinet. Two new posts are awarded to the
FPI on 13 January. |
| 31
Jan: |
The
Commission consultative constitutionnelle et electoral (CCCE
- Constitutional Electoral Consultative Commission) is inaugurated. |
| 3 Feb: |
Five
military officers are arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup
d’etat. |
| 28 Feb: |
Presentation
to the CCCE of the conclusions of its sub-committee on the constitution,
including conditions governing eligibility for election as president.
According to the sub-committee, the president must be an Ivorian.
His/her father AND mother must be Ivorian [called the ‘And option’].
He/she must never have had another nationality and has resided
in the country for five years before the elections. |
| Feb-Mar: |
The
FPI and newspapers linked to it claim that national identity
cards have been falsely issued to foreigners, and accuse the
RDR of being involved. |
| 8
Mar: |
Seven
RDR militants are arrested by the CNSP’s crime squad after being
accused in an anonymous letter of distributing false ID cards
to foreigners. |
| 11
Mar: |
RDR
leader Alassane Dramane Ouattara denies that the RDR is involved
in giving false ID cards to non-nationals. |
| 14
Mar: |
The
president of the Ligue ivoirienne des droits de l’homme (Ivorian
Human Rights League) denounces in an open letter the “massive?
issing of national ID cards to non-Ivorians and recommends that
the authorities check all ID cards issued since 1990. |
| 20
Mar: |
The
PDCI, FPI and other parties call on the government, at a meeting
in Abidjan, to end ID fraud which, they say, has reached “incredible
proportions? and could “endanger the very existence of the Ivorian
national community?. |
| 28
Mar: |
Soldiers
in the western town of Daloa demonstrate for salary increases,
barricading themselves in their camp. Troops sent from Abidjan
intervene. One soldier dies. |
| 30
Mar: |
CCCE
Chairman Matthieu Ekra presents the results of the commission’s
work to Guei. |
| 27 Apr: |
At
a meeting with representatives of political parties and civil
society, Guei proposes to modify the eligibity criteria to grant
eligibility if a candidate’s mother OR father is Ivorian (called
the OR option). |
| 12
May: |
Guei
announces election timetable. He announces that he has proof
that the RDR is involved in agitation and that its members have
threatened to commit crimes if there is no RDR candidate at
the presidentials. |
| 16
May: |
CNSP
announces that political leaders need an authorisation to leave
the country. |
| 18
May: |
Cabinet
reshuffle leaves the RDR with one representative in the cabinet.
The FPI keeps its six portfolios, two members of the PDCI join
the government. The RDR withdraws its representative. |
| 26
May: |
The
draft constitution is published. Eligibility criteria proposed
by the CCCE’s constitution sub-committee are retained except
that the AND Option is replaced by the OR Option. |
| 27
May: |
The
Conseil superieur des imams (Higher Council of Imams) complains
that security forces have been abusively withdrawing ID cards
from Muslims and sometimes destroying them. |
| 31
May: |
Ouattara
calls on his supporters to vote “Yes? at the constitutional
referendum, while deploring the fact that the draft contains
certain “ambiguities and incoherences? relating to the eligibility
issue. |
| 3 June: |
Cote
d’Ivoire’s bishops warn at their plenary assembly that the spectre
of civil war looms over the country. |
| 9-10 June: |
PDCI
and FPI calls for a “Yes? vote at the referendum on the constitution,
and for a return to the AND Option. |
| 18 June: |
Taditional
chiefs from northern Cote d’Ivoire, linked in an association
headed by Ouattara’s brother, Gaoussou Ouattara, warn against
any attempt to deprive Ouattara of his Ivorian nationality and
his right to run for president, saying that this would be “disguised
ethnic cleansing?. Alassane Ouattara, they say, is a born Ivorian,
as are his parents. |
| 22 June: |
Military
and CNSP officials deny rumours of a coup plot. |
| 4-5
Jul: |
Mutiny
by soldiers demanding payment for their participation in the
December 1999 coup d’etat. Guei hints that the RDR was behind
the mutiny which, he claims, was really a coup d’etat. |
| 7
Jul: |
Demonstrations
are banned. |
| 11
Jul: |
Military
prosecutor announces the arrest of 35 soldiers, including 8
officers, in connection with the mutiny. |
| 12
Jul: |
Four
RDR officials are arrested in connection with the mutiny and
released on 14 July. |
| 17
Jul: |
The
government announces that both parents of a presidential candidate
need to be born Ivorians (AND Option). |
| 24
Jul: |
Referendum
on the constitution. ‘Yes’ votes: 86.53%; participation: 56% |
| 29
Jul: |
The
requirement that political leaders need an authorisation to
leave the country is lifted. |
| 1 Aug: |
The
new constitution is promulgated. |
| 4 Aug: |
The
trial begins of 45 soldiers arrested in connection with the
July mutiny. |
| 10 Aug: |
Cote
d’Ivoire’s main political leaders agree, at a meeting in the
capital, Yamoussoukro with Presidents Mathieu Kerekou of Benin
and Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo to form a government of national
unity whatever the outcome of the presidential election. |
| 13-19 Aug: |
Various
parties, including the FPI, PDCI and RDR announce their presidential
candidates. Guei’s candidature is also announced. |
| 28 Aug: |
Three
deaths and a number of disappearances are reported following
new clashes between Kroumen and Burkinabe in southwest Cote
d’Ivoire, this time in Grand-Bereby, an area between the towns
of Tabou and San Pedro. In November 1999, similar clashes had
taken place between the two groups in Tabou, on the border with
Liberia. |
| 4
Sep: |
Six
presidential guards detained since 1 September are charged with
endangering the security of the state. The six are reportedly
close to Master Sergeant Ibrahim Coulibaly, known as I.B, a
former bodyguard of Ouattara’s children. |
| 8
Sep: |
New
clashes between Kroumen and Burkinabe in the southwest. Many
deaths are reported. More than 1,000 Burkinabe seek refuge in
San Pedro. |
| 18
Sep: |
A
group of soldiers attack Guei’s residence in Abidjan. Two loyalist
soldiers are killed. The minister of communication indirectly
accuses the RDR, which denies the accusation. About 20 members
of the presidential guard are arrested. |
| 22
Sep: |
Cabinet
reshuffle: two CNSP members reputedly close to the RDR, generals
Abdoulaye Coulibaly and Lassana Palenfo, lose their posts. |
| 25
Sep: |
The
heads of state of seven countries - Algeria, Burkina Faso, Djibouti.
Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Togo - travel to Abidjan
and propose solutions for ending the crisis: withdrawal of Guei’s
candidature; the formation of a transitional council; the possibility
for all candidates to run for president. The CNSP rejects the
proposals on 26 September. |
| 26
Sep: |
The
CNSP issues a communique accusing Palenfo and Coulibaly of being
involved in the 18 September attack on Guei’s residence. The
homes of the two men are searched. They fled earlier to the
Nigerian embassy. |
| 28
Sep: |
Military
prosecutor Capt Ange Kessy announces that formal charges have
been laid against Palenfo and Coulibaly. |
| 4 Oct: |
A
state of emergency is imposed |
| 6 Oct: |
The
head of the Supreme Court announces that the Court has rejected
all but five candidates, including those put forward by the
PDCI and RDR. The five approved are Guei, Gbagbo and three minor
candidates. |
| 7 Oct: |
Ouattara
says the decisions of the Supreme Court strips the elections
of all legitimacy. He calls on RDR militants not to disturb
the peace. |
| 9 Oct: |
Local
authorities disclose that four Burkinabe were shot dead and
their throats slit in Grand-Bereby on 5-6 October. The state
of emergency is extended to 13 Oct. |
| 12 Oct: |
In
response to a call for a boycott of the election, launched from
exile by Bedie, the PDCI decides not to participate in the elections.
However, some PDCI officials back Guei. The RDR calls for a
peaceful boycott. |
| 17 Oct: |
The
CNSP accuses the RDR of recruiting mercenaries to commit acts
of banditry in Abidjan neighbourhoods and overthrow the government
before the elections. |
| 18 Oct: |
FPI
denounces the risk of electoral fraud and asks the national
electoral commission for a detailed voters list so as to cross-check
the results The Conseil national islamique (National Islamic
Council) calls on Muslims to stay indoors on 22 October, and
use the day for prayer, fasting and reflection. It also denounces
the “systematic rejection of all Muslim candidates? by the Supreme
Court. |
| 22 Oct: |
Presidential
elections are held. |
| 23 Oct: |
The
electoral commission, after releasing some results, suspends
the operation, saying it would resume the following day. |
| 24 Oct: |
The
commission releases results that show Gbagbo in the lead, then
suspends the announcements. Its head is kidnapped. Guei appears
on TV and declares himself president. Gbagbo calls on all "democrats"
to take to the streets. Civilians and the army clash in several
parts of Abidjan. |
| 25 Oct: |
Civilians
and the army clash again. Many civilians die, sustain wounds
or are arrested. Guei flees Abidjan by helicopter. Gbagbo announces
that he is the new president. |
| 26 Oct: |
RDR
demonstrators demand a re-run of the elections and clash with
FPI supporters, gendarmes and police. Several people are killed
or wounded. Gbagbo is sworn in as president. |
| 27 Oct: |
Gbagbo
names Pascal Affi N'guessan, a former minister under Guei, as
prime minister. |
| 28 Oct: |
57
dead bodies are discovered in bushes in Yopougon, a district
of Abidjan. The crime is imputed to the gendarmerie. |
| 1
Dec: |
The
Supreme Court rejects Ouattara’s candidature for legislative
elections. |
| 4-5
Dec: |
Violence
breaks out once again as the military put down RDR protests
against Ouattara’s exclusion. The RDR reports at least 30 deaths. |
| 10
Dec: |
Elections
are held for 196 out of 225 seats in parliament. The polls are
postponed in 29 northern constituencies. Results are proclaimed
on 13 December: FPI - 96 seats; PDCI - 77 seats; independents
- 16 seats; Parti Ivoirien des Travailleurs (PIT) - four seats.
Three other parties obtain 1 seat each. The abstention rate
is 66.88%. |
| ? |
? |
|
??2001 |
| 7-8 Jan: |
Armed
men attack the national TV station, the Agban gendarmerie camp
and Gbagbo's house. The government announces that it has foiled
a coup attempt and accuses neighbouring countries of being involved. |
| 14 Jan: |
Legislative
elections are held in 29 northern constituencies. Despite an
RDR boycott, electors vote in some RDR candidates. The final
result of the legislatives is: FPI (96 seats); PDCI (94); RDR
(5); PIT (4); independents (22); other parties (2). |
| 24-25
Mar: |
All
major parties participate in local government elections. The
RDR gains control of the largest number of councils, followed
by the PDCI and the FPI in that order. |
| 30 May: |
The
European Union proposes "a progressive and gradual resumption"
of its cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire, frozen following the
misappropriation in 1998 of EU aid to the health sector. This
marks the beginning of improved relations with international
agencies. |
| 11
July: |
Ivorian
diplomat Amara Essy is elected secretary-general of the Organisation
for African Unity, now the African Union. |
| 7 Aug: |
After
a one-month trial, a tribunal acquits eight gendarmes accused
of the Yopougon massacre. |
| 8
Oct: |
A
national reconciliation forum aimed at easing socio-political
tensions begins in Abidjan. Participants include political parties
and civil society. |
| 15
Oct: |
Ex-president
Bedie returns after 20 months in exile in France. |
| 19 Nov: |
The
IMF agrees to discuss a three year economic programme with the
government. |
| 13
Dec: |
National
reconciliation forum ends. A steering committee publishes 14
recommendations, including the delivery of a certificate of
nationality to Ouattara. |
| ? |
? |
|
??2002 |
| 10 Jan: |
Bedie,
Gbagbo, Ouattara and Guei meet in the capital, Yamoussoukro,
to discuss the results of the reconciliation forum. |
| 1
Feb: |
World
Bank resumes economic cooperation after government pays arrears. |
| 3 Apr: |
IMF
approves $366 million for three-year poverty-reduction programme. |
| 31
May: |
Six
men are sentenced to up to 20 years in connection with the January
2001 coup attempt. Seven others are acquitted. |
| 27 Jun: |
Political
tension increases as local council elections approach. FPI and
RDR supporters clash in Daloa, 400 km west of Abidjan. Five
people are killed. A market is burnt. |
| 30 Jun: |
A
judge delivers a certificate of nationality to Alassane Ouattara.
His supporters describe this as a victory. His detractors cry
foul. |
| 7
Jul: |
Tension
runs high as regional elections take place. The FPI and PDCI
each win 18 councils, the RDR 10 and UDPCI, 3. |
| 1 Aug: |
UDPCI
general secretary Balla Keita, is killed in Ouagadougou, Burkina
Faso. |
| 6 Aug: |
Gbagbo
reshuffles his cabinet, including the RDR for the first time.
The new cabinet has ministers from the FPI (20); PDCI (7); RDR
(4); PIT (2); UDPCI (1), and three from civil society. |
| 9
Sep: |
Police
raid Mayama Editions, publishers of two dailies close to the
RDR, Le Patriote and Tassouman, in reaction to a report carried
by Tassouman. |
| 13
Sep: |
Guei
rejects the UDPCI’s cabinet slot. He calls a press conference,
accuses Gbagbo of not respecting his commitments and announces
that his party has broken ties with the FPI. |
| 19
Sep: |
Heavy
shooting breaks out in Abidjan. The government says a coup attempt
was foiled and accuses Guei of being behind it. Guei, his wife
and members of his entourage are killed. Accusations are also
levelled at Burkina Faso. At least 400 people are killed, including
Boga Doudou. Army mutineers take over the hinterland towns of
Bouake and Korhogo. They later announce the formation of an
insurgent group, the Mouvement patriotique de Cote d’Ivoire
(MPCI - Cote d’Ivoire Patriotic Movement ) |
| 22
Sep: |
Humanitarian
agencies say at least 5,000 people are displaced and hundreds
of shanties are burnt down by security forces in Abidjan; Ouattara's
house is set on fire. |
| 24
Sep: |
Ouattara,
who has sought refuge at the French Ambassador’s residence,
tells a French newspaper that the soldiers who killed Guei had
also been after him. Loyalist troops launch an unsuccessful
offensive on Bouake. |
| 27
Sep: |
French
troops evacuate some 1,200 foreigners from Bouake. |
| 30
Sep: |
ECOWAS
sets up a six-member mediation group to help resolve the Ivorian
crisis. |
| 2 Oct: |
Youths
from various political parties and pressure groups hold a peaceful
rally in Abidjan to denounce the rebellion. |
| 4-8 Oct: |
An
initial ECOWAS mediation attempt fails. Fighting breaks out
in Bouake. People start fleeing rebel-held areas. An inter-agency
assessment mission to Bouake finds that at least 100 people
flee Bouake each day. Some West African migrants return home
or go to third countries. This movement continues throughout
October and November. |
| 14 Oct: |
Loyalist
forces recapture Daloa 48 hours after it is taken by rebels;
The number of people fleeing Bouake rises to 2,500 a day. |
| 16 Oct: |
Government
denies rebel claims that Angolan troops have been fighting alongside
loyalist forces; UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio
Vieira de Mello expresses concern at the deterioration of the
situation in Cote d'Ivoire. |
| 17 Oct: |
Reporters
sans Frontieres and the Committee to Protect Journalists express
concern about attacks on journalists and media houses. |
| 17 Oct: |
Rebels
sign cease-fire agreement, which is accepted by the government.
French troops are to monitor the ceasefire until the arrival
of a West African buffer force. |
| 22 Oct: |
Demonstrators
stage a violent protest outside the French military base in
Port-Bouet, Abidjan, demanding that the French authorities hand
over Ouattara. French troops use tear-gas to disperse them. |
| 24 Oct: |
Amnesty
International reports human rights abuses, including executions,
by security forces and insurgents in Cote d’Ivoire; ECOWAS designates
Togo’s President Gnassingbe Eyadema to lead talks between the
MPCI and government. |
| 30 Oct: |
The
talks begin in Lome, Togo. |
| 31 Oct: |
The
two sides reach agreement on professional demands by the insurgents. |
| 1
Nov: |
Further
agreement is reached, including a promise by the government
to submit a draft amnesty bill to parliament. |
| 8-15
Nov: |
UN
agencies start setting up offices inYamoussoukro to improve
their capacity to reach vulnerable populations in rebel-held
areas. |
| 11
Nov: |
The
abduction and killing in Abidjan of the brother of a senior
member of the rebel MPCI casts a shadow over talks in Togo. |
| 18
Nov: |
An
advance team of ECOWAS peacekeepers arrives in Abidjan. |
| 20
Nov: |
Gbagbo
announces he is ready to hold a referendum on the country's
constitution, whose amendment has been demanded by the rebels. |
| 27
Nov: |
The
armed forces accuse the rebels of violating the ceasefire around
Vavoua, north of Daloa. The rebels deny the claim. The spokesman
of the French buffer force denies any knowledge of the alleged
violation. The Ivorian military, supported - according to the
French military spokesman - by white and black foreigners -
launch an offensive on Vavoua. |
| 28
Nov: |
Two
new groups, the Mouvement populaire ivoirien du Grand Ouest
(MPIGO) and the Mouvement pour la Justice et la Paix (MJP) launch
attacks on two western towns, Danane and Man respectively. Danane,
located near the Liberian border, is home to tens of thousands
of Liberian refugees. There are reports of people crossing the
border to Liberia. |
| ? |
? |
