Côte d'Ivoire: Ouattara may struggle to pay his debts

The document examines the precarious security situation in Côte d'Ivoire under President Alassane Ouattara, highlighting the tension between the need to reward the 'republican forces' who helped him seize power and the necessity of disarmament and human rights accountability. It argues that national reconciliation and the management of armed groups are essential prerequisites for the country to regain its status as a West African economic powerhouse.

• President Alassane Ouattara's authority relies on a fragile coalition of 'republican forces' consisting of 10 rebel commanders and other former soldiers who operated independently of his direct command during the conflict.
• The 'republican forces' are expected to demand army positions and impunity for their actions, which creates a conflict with the need for disarmament and transparent human rights accountability, especially as Ouattara intends to prosecute Laurent Gbagbo.
• Beyond the rebel coalition, the government faces a broader security challenge involving Gbagbo loyalists, the proliferation of small armed groups, and a public discourse of hatred and division that necessitates national reconciliation.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2011). Côte d'Ivoire: Ouattara may struggle to pay his debts. https://saiia.org.za/research/cote-divoire-ouattara-may-struggle-to-pay-his-debts/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Côte d'Ivoire: Ouattara may struggle to pay his debts. 2011. https://saiia.org.za/research/cote-divoire-ouattara-may-struggle-to-pay-his-debts/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Côte d'Ivoire: Ouattara may struggle to pay his debts |date=14 April 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/cote-divoire-ouattara-may-struggle-to-pay-his-debts/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2011cte, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Côte d'Ivoire: Ouattara may struggle to pay his debts}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/cote-divoire-ouattara-may-struggle-to-pay-his-debts/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }