Elders Encourage Plans for Truth and Reconciliation Process

The Elders Foundation (London)

2 May 2011

press release

An Elders’ delegation has completed a two-day visit to Côte d’Ivoire to encourage reconciliation and healing. Their visit follows four months of post-election violence in which an estimated 3,000 people were killed and one million displaced.

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan led the delegation – joined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and the former President of Ireland Mary Robinson.

The Elders sought to listen to a wide range of views during their visit. They met the new President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro and members of his Cabinet, as well as representatives of all major political parties, civil society and women’s organisations. They also travelled to the north of the country to meet former president Laurent Gbagbo. On Sunday evening the three Elders visited a church in Abidjan which is providing temporary shelter to some 1,400 internally displaced people.

Their discussions with the government covered a range of important issues for Côte d’Ivoire including security and disarmament, accountability and justice, the revival of the economy, youth unemployment and the empowerment of women. They emphasised the importance of improving security so that people feel safe enough to return to their homes, reopen their businesses, send their children back to school and carry out other normal activities.

The Elders were impressed by the President’s and his government’s determination to improve security as quickly as possible, revitalise the economy and provide assistance to displaced persons.

President Ouattara and the Elders discussed the government’s plans to establish a truth and reconciliation commission in Côte d’Ivoire. The Elders welcomed the President’s prioritisation of reconciliation and healing, but emphasised that the process should be independent, consultative, and not be rushed.

This morning the three Elders flew to Korhogo in the north of the country to meet former president Laurent Gbagbo, who is under house arrest. He appeared to be healthy and in good spirits, and told the Elders he is being well treated.

The Elders stressed their message of support for healing and reconciliation of the nation. This requires all Ivorians to play their part. They were pleased to hear Mr Gbagbo say that he wants the country to return to normal as soon as possible.

The Elders also asked the government of Côte d’Ivoire to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Mr and Mrs Gbagbo, and all other detainees, as soon as possible.

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