Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Ivory Coast reconciliation commission to be sworn in

Supporters of Alassane Ouattara burn tires during a protest in the Koumassi district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast (16 December 2010) About 3,000 people were killed in the violence that followed last year's elections
Ivory Coast is due to swear in its Truth, Reconciliation and Dialogue Commission, aimed at forging unity after deadly violence that followed last year's disputed elections.
About 3,000 people were killed and 500,000 displaced in the unrest.
The commission is headed by former Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny.
The 11-member body includes religious leaders, regional representatives and Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba to speak for Ivorians living abroad.
The commission is modelled on South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission but it is not clear if it will be issuing amnesties and pardons, says the BBC's John James in Ivory' Coast's main city, Abidjan.
There are a lot of uncertainties about exactly how it will function, so soon after the violence ended earlier this year, says our correspondent.
Security has improved in most of the country and the economy has picked up, he adds.
The International Monetary Fund is forecasting economic growth of 8-9% for next year.
Gbagbo charges Mr Ouattara took power in April with the backing of UN and French forces after the capture of his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, in Abidjan.
He is now being held in the north of the country. He and his wife, Simone, have been charged with looting, armed robbery and embezzlement in connection with the post-election unrest.
Mr Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in November's presidential poll, despite the UN declaring Mr Ouattara - his long-time foe - the winner.
The country's Constitutional Council originally proclaimed Mr Gbagbo the winner of the election.
The commission has three vice-chairmen - King Desire Amon Tanoe of the Nzima ethnic group, Catholic Archbishop Paul-Simeon Ahouanan of Bouake and Muslim High Council of Imams President Cheick Boikary Fofana.
Other members represent different regions of the country and include Professor Sery Bailly, a long-time ally of Mr Gbagbo.

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