Prosecution efforts so far have exacerbated, rather than alleviated, ethnic and regional divisions. Credible prosecutions against those most responsible on all sides of the conflict would offer a clear statement to all citizens of Côte d’Ivoire that the justice system is blind to ethnicity and is there to serve and protect all its citizens.

The importance of sports has not been sufficiently appreciated by African governments for it to be integrated into their national development plans. There is no doubt that sports could play a critical role in attaining peace, development and stability.

Allassane Ouattara started his second term as president of Ivory Coast on November 3. Having prioritized security and economic recovery in his first term, he now has the opportunity to definitively end the country’s legacy of violent political and inter-ethnic turmoil.

As the Cote d’Ivoire gears up for elections in 2015, is it truly prepared to avoid the violence that marred the last elections in 2010? A stringent approach is needed by all actors to ensure this is the case.