Ivory Coast’s new President Alassane Ouattara says his government will spare no efforts to investigate crimes that were committed during the country’s post electoral crisis, even if they implicate his own supporters or troops, he told a press conference at UN headquarters in New York.
“We don’t want to accept impunity in Cote d’Ivoire, we will have reconciliation on one track but the judicial system will do its work on the other track. Justice will be for everyone the same, no distinction.” he told reporters.
Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner of Ivory Coast’s 2010 election, made his first visit to the world body since UN backed forces help drive out his opponent and incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo in April.
Gbagbo refused to recognize the results of the country’s November 2010 Presidential elections, and for more than five months his security forces directed attacks against opponents and the UN presence in Ivory Coast. Ouattara’s forces were eventually able to capture Gbagbo in April, after a French military unit carried out a strikes against his compound.
During the crisis, humanitarian groups documented serious rights violations and war crimes, allegedly carried out by militias loyal to both Presidential candidates.
Ouattara told reporters he’s already asked the Hague based International Criminal Court for help investigating possible crimes against humanity committed after the November 2010 election but said investigations into economic crimes committed by the former President and his entourage would be held in an Ivorian based court.
He said that only crimes and rights abuses carried after the November 2010 election would be investigated.
Initial reports following Gbagbo’s capture indicated he and his wife had been mistreated, but Ouattara told reporters he was being held respectfully and awaiting trial at one of his former Presidential residences.
Ouattara says that besides the reconciliation of his country’s political factions, his government will need to work hard to rebuild the economy and organize new elections before the end of the year.
“This year, because of the post electoral crisis, our economy will drop by 7 %, so this needs massive support.” said Ouattara, a former IMF official. “From developing savings, good governance to better spend our money and also financial support from the world.“
Ouattara is scheduled to meet President Obama on Friday to discuss how the US can best support Ivory Coast in its transition.