ANTI-FRENCH RIOTING COMBINED WITH FRESH GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE DIMS HOPE OF PEACE

The 2003 ceasefire agreement between Government and rebel forces was broken on November 4, 2004, when the Government launched air raids against rebel positions in northern Cote d’Ivoire. The bombings were the first major outbreak of hostilities since the May 2003 ceasefire. The fighting escalated on November 6, when Government planes bombed a French military base in Bouaké killing nine French peacekeepers and an American civilian. The French immediately responded by destroying the Ivorian air force. The destruction of the air force led to anti-French rioting by a pro-Government group named the Young Patriots, which accused the French of taking sides in the conflict with the rebels and acting like a colonial power.

Before the violence there were thousands of French citizens living in Cote d’Ivoire, a former French colony. After the rioting began, French troops moved into the largest city, Abidjan, to protect and begin evacuating French citizens. The rioting continued for several days amid allegations that the Government was using the Young Patriots, newspapers and radio broadcasts to incite further violence against French and European citizens. Calm has now returned to Abidjan, but it appears that a majority of the European population has decided to leave the country.

The violence has dealt a blow to the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire. All sides are concerned that the Government will launch a new ground offensive against the rebels. Twice in recent days, UN and French peacekeepers have stopped Government forces attempting to cross the UN-patrolled confidence zone into the rebel-held north. South African President Thabo Mbeki is trying to restart negotiations between the Government and rebels, but has made little progress. Negotiations have been stalled since the May 2003 ceasefire, and what little trust remains has been further damaged by the recent violence. The rebels have declared that they will not participate in any negotiations with the Ivorian President, Luarent Gbagbo.

On November 15, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to impose an arms embargo on Cote d’Ivoire . In addition, the Security Council decided to impose travel bans and asset freezes on individuals who oppose the peace process or who commit violations of international law or human rights.

Updated November, 2004