Wounds of Civil War Slowly Healing in Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire

As heads of state discussed how to best support Libya in its post conflict transition today at the United Nations, two African Presidents shared their own hands-on experience trying to rebuild war-torn African countries.

Presidents Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone were at the Council on Foreign Relations this afternoon to discuss the challenges of balancing political reconciliation, transitional justice and economic development. 

Although the two countries are at different stages of their transitions—Cote d’Ivoire is barely six months removed from serious fighting while Sierra Leone’s civil war ended nearly a decade ago—the two leaders shared a similar perspective on most issues.

Ouattara and Koroma both argued that creating stable and secure environment was the first step on the path towards reconciliation, but that ultimately, true dialogue between opposing political factions and civil society groups could only be achieved through significant social and economic reform. 

Ouattara said his government has worked hard to stabilize Cote d’Ivoire’s security situation by reaching out to opposing armed groups and trying to integrate them into a cohesive national army ahead of the scheduled parliamentary election in December. 

Ouattara, a former high ranking official at the International Monetary Fund, also discussed some of the economic challenges countries ravaged by domestic strife face when trying to attract external investment and development initiatives.

Koroma argued that building an “open, transparent and attractive” environment and ensuring even distribution of development initiative within society were the two most important steps in securing foreign investments.

Both presidents also recognized the importance of the international community’s work in post conflict societies and lauded the UN’s positive influence in helping bring about the end of war, while voicing concern and disappointment at the AU’s “slow pace decision-making” and limited influence. 

Former Ivory Coast President Rejects Calls To Recognize Opponent After UN, French Military Offensive

It looks like the discredited outgoing president of Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa is digging in his heels. Laurent Gbagbo, whom international agencies agree lost the election for president in November, denied he was negotiating conditions of his surrender and departure, in an interview with a French news channel.

 Gbagbo has been trying to hang on ever since the UN and international observers certified that his opponent Alassane Ouattara was the winner of the elections.

 Gbagbo’s statement comes after the UN Mission in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) said Gbagbo forces and allies were deserting him. 

The former Ivorian leader is reportedly holding out in a bunker below the Presidential Palace in Abijan, surrounded by forces loyal to Ouattara.

 Since the beginning of the standoff last November, the UN Security Council and UNOCI have repeatedly condemned Gbagbo and his forces for targeting Ouattara supporters as well as the civilian population and have expanded the capabilities of international peacekeeping forces. 

 But France, Cote d’Ivoire’s former colonial power, has come under fire for the active military role its peacekeepers have taken over the past weeks. 

French officials have maintained they are working in tandem with the United Nations and within the framework UN Security Council resolution 1975, which allows for the use of force to protect civilians and destroy heavy artillery in Cote d’Ivoire.

Yet Paris has seemingly taken the lead in interpreting and implementing the resolution. On Monday, French forces opened fire on the Presidential Palace where Gbabgo is believed to be hiding, an offensive the UN did not take part in. 

Some have suggested it might be difficult to reconcile such military action with a Security Council mandate that focuses on civilian protection, rather than regime change.

Human rights organization estimate that fighting between both factions has displaced over 1 million from their homes, with tens of thousands of people seeking refuge in neighboring countries. 

Over the weekend, the Red Cross Committee reported that the town of Duekoue had been the site of a large scale massacre believed to have been carried out by forces loyal to Ouattara. The number of casualties has yet to be confirmed, but initial reports from the Red Cross indicate that over 800 people were killed.  Ouattara has since denied his forces were involved.