CDPDA'S PEACE SETTLEMENT PROPOSAL ON IVORY COAST

The Center for the Defense of Peace and Democracy in Africa (CDPDA) has been keeping a close look at the armed conflict in Ivory Coast since war broke on September 19, 2002.

October 10, 2002, the CDPDA hosted a panel discussion in Washington DC, at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel, in a decisive move to find a peaceful way out of the conflict.

In line with its policy, the CDPDA has drafted a proposal aimed at bringing back peace and national reconciliation in the once prosperous West African nation. You will find a copy of the proposal below.

We would highly appreciate your support in contributing to a comprehensive awareness of this peace proposal. If after reading it you believe it is a useful contribution to the search for a lasting peace settlement, please:

(1) COPY and PASTE it (the proposal) into a new message box.
(2) INCLUDE your information at the bottom of the list.
(3) EMAIL it to as many people as possible.
(4) FORWARD the email back to the CDPDA at [email protected] if you are the hundredth (100) signatory.

A copy of this plan has been sent to:

1. The UN Security Council.
2. The UN Secretary General.
3. The President of the French republic.
4. The President of Ivory Coast.
5. Ivory Coast's main political parties.
6. MPCI.
7. MPIGO.
8. MJP.
9. The President of ECOWAS.

Honore de Sumo
Executive Director
CDPDA

THE PROPOSAL

What does history teach us about conflict resolution? It teaches us that it is hard, if not impossible, to unite for power sharing the ruling government and its opponents engaged in an arms struggle as a means to access power, whether they are successful or not. Case study: Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaïre), Angola, etc.

CDPDA's settlement proposal includes the following:

1. A resolution of the United Nations' Security Council establishing a United Nations Transitional Authority in Ivory Coast (UNTACI) ;

2. A transfer of power from the present executive to the UNTACI.

3. The UNTACI will be headed by a Transitional Administrator named by the UN Security Council. This administrator will not be a national of Ivory Coast or any other African country. Nationals of former colonial powers are also excluded from appointment. The UNTACI will be empowered with full executive powers during the transitional period. The length of the UNTACI mission will be determined by the UN.

4. Under the supervision of the UN Secretary General, the UNTACI will install a Consultative Council (CC). Members of the CC will be chosen from the mainstream political parties and civil society. Their number, duties and areas of competence will have to be specified.

5. UNTACI, as a transitional body, will have members from both Ivory Coast and the international community. Ivorian members will be appointed by the transitional administrator after recommendation from the CC. Conversely, foreign members will be named by the United Nations.

6. The UN Security Council will also vote on a resolution to send an international military force into Ivory Coast. The mission of the force will be to:

. Enforce law and order,
. Monitor the disarmament of armed groups,
. Restructure the army.

7. UNTACI's mission will be to :

. Bring its assistance and expertise to draft a new constitution. This will be submitted by referendum to the people of Ivory Coast. All conflicting articles/sections will be dealt with accordingly.
. Ensure the territorial integrity of the nation.
. Monitor the issuance of new national identity cards.
. Initiate new electoral lists for the upcoming presidential and legislative elections.
. Monitor the presidential and legislative elections.
. Transfer power to the newly elected authorities.

The CDPDA is willing to share its expertise in the field of conflict resolution with all the parties involved. For further information on the CDPDA, please visit our new website at http://www.defenseofpeace.org
If you support the CDPDA's peace settlement proposal for Ivory Coast, please add your information to the list below:

1. Erone Omusoh, Washington DC, USA
2. Laura Mbeki, Johannesburg, South Africa
3. Honore de Sumo, Washington DC, USA