March 3rd 2007

POLITICAL ACCORD REACHED AT OUAGADOUGOU

The President of Burkina Faso and the Community of Sant’Egidio,
together with the opposing sides, forge an accord to end the civil war in Côte d’Ivoire

Signed on March 3rd,(with the signatures of the President of the Republic, Laurent Gbagbo, and that of the head of the New (rebellion) forces, Guillaume Soro, being added a day later), the political accord of Ouagadougou in Côte d'Ivoire is the outcome of direct dialogue held between the two sides in the capital of Burkina Faso over the past two months.

This represents an important step along the road to peace, taken after months of political and military deadlock in a West-African nation that war has sundered in two since 2002. The turnaround was helped along by the President of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaoré. The Community of Sant'Egidio, which has for years been striving to evolve strategies of dialogue and pacification in Côte d'Ivoire, partnered the facilitator in his efforts, especially during the final stages of negotiation.

Since the end of 2006, the situation in Côte d’Ivoire has been one of political gridlock with the transitional government finding itself unable to act. The division of the country into two blocks has had devastating consequences especially in the northern, rebel zone. Neither schools nor public health-care services have operated and many people have fled to the southern part of the country. Immigrants, too, have been forced to flee, with approximately one million people seeking refuge in Burkina Faso. Moreover, large portions of the Ivorian population have no documentary proof of identity. The ongoing crisis has seen an outbreak of political intrigue and meddling in local affairs, leading to a breakdown in the traditional harmony between indigenous groups and immigrant populaces. About one third of Côte d'Ivoire’s population is foreign in origin: ever since its independence it has been noted as a tolerant land, accepting of immigrants.

The Community of Sant'Egidio, working through its dense network of local communities, has for years been enabling the poor as well as trying to nurture a climate of dialogue and togetherness, including projects of an inter-religious nature. Ever since the crisis began, it has taken part in the numerous attempts that have been staged to broker peace, such as those of Marcoussis, of Lomé and of Accra. For this reason, they were called upon to lend their support in the direct talks now under way in Burkina Faso. All sides – and especially those currently sitting across the table from each other – recognize their experience in the field of mediation, as well as their long and efficacious presence in Côte d'Ivoire as helpers and intercessors.

Further information and contacts from: Mario Giro – Tel. 00226.70616557