WRITTEN QUESTION E-0214/02

by Nirj Deva (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2002)

Subject: Côte d'Ivoire

The question of Mr Ouattara's nationality has gravely contributed to the political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire. Does the Commission think that the resolution of this issue, as recommended by the National Reconciliation Forum that ended on 18 December, will guarantee Mr Ouattara's natural right to stand in the next elections?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0167/02, E-0213/02 and E-0214/02given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2002)

Consultations with Côte d'Ivoire, under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement were concluded on 25 June 2001 with a decision to gradually re-launch Community co-operation in parallel with progress of the national reconciliation process, of the fight against impunity, of the reform of the judiciary and of the fight against xenophobia.

So far, the reconciliation process is proving successful: the national reconciliation forum led to consensual recommendations on the ways and means to stabilise the political situation. It also led to talks between the main political figures of Côte d'Ivoire. Observers predict that the Ivorian nationality of Mr Ouattara, an issue identified as a major source of political tension, should soon be recognised. Measures have also been taken to deal with the other three issues.

The Commission believes that a full re-launch of Community co-operation should be agreed shortly.

The foreseen recognition of Mr Ouattara's Ivorian nationality should by itself provide a solution to the eligibility issue as regards the parliamentary elections. It is sufficient to hold Ivorian nationality to be eligible at these elections. However, the nationality requirements for the presidential elections are more stringent, according to the new constitution. A candidate should not only be Ivorian, but also both his parents should be Ivorian and he should not have availed himself of another nationality in the past. President Gbagbo himself acknowledged during the reconciliation forum that this provision was personally aimed at preventing Mr Ouattara from standing for election. President Gbagbo has decided to create a lawyers' committee to make recommendations on possible clarifications of the current constitution. The issue is on the agenda of current negotiations between the four main political leaders.

Human rights training of Côte d'Ivoire's armed forces is indeed planned under the coordination of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) within the programme for the reform of the army of the Ivorian Government. This programme is part of a wide reform of the army which is a major priority of the Government. The Commission and also some Member States are in the process of deciding upon their involvement in this programme.

In the meantime, the Commission is going to support a project in this area led by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation aimed at providing training to the armed forces and the police in order to promote better understanding between them and civil society. Seminars and workshops will be organised in the four military regions of Côte d'Ivoire. The issue of parallel security forces and of militias will be among the main topics to be dealt with.

More generally, Côte d'Ivoire is one of the focus countries for the implementation of the human rights budget line (B7-7020) in 2002 and 2003. Priorities are being decided upon. Given the needs of the country, and with a view to avoiding overlaps with other donors' interventions, the Commission is ready to focus on capacity building as regards non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the human rights commission and the press.