Consolidating a Fragile Peace
Date: February 23-24, 2004
Location: Saint Paul University, Ottawa

Aware of the importance of C�te d�Ivoire and of the danger of neighbouring countries being pulled into the conflict, this Symposium has been organized to help contribute to consolidating the fragile peace. The various presentations in the Symposium will analyse the causes of the crisis and the regional dimension, and will offer ideas to help find solutions to the fundamental issues, thereby allowing Canadian institutions to bring their contribution to a durable peace.

Over the last 16 months, C�te d'Ivoire has lived through one of the most serious crises in its history. It was once considered a peaceful country with a very stable economy, but the events of September 19, 2002 changed all that. An armed rebellion failed in its attempt to seize power, but set up it headquarters in C�te d�Ivoire�s second city, Bouak�. This brought about the de facto partition of the country. The conflict then took on a regional dimension with the involvement of veteran fighters from the wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, who were then recruited by both government and rebel forces.

The crisis in C�te d�Ivoire has had a serious impact on the economies of neighbouring countries, which are heavily dependent on C�te d�Ivoire. Faced with the prospect of increased conflict and regional destabilization, the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS) became involved in various mediation efforts with the aim of finding a peaceful solution to the crisis. Other initiatives were developed by La Francophonie and countries such as France, where the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement was signed on January 24, 2003.

The Linas-Marcoussis Agreement is a road map, with several focal points - the nationality issue, land reform, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. Since then, despite difficulties with its application, there have been some tangible successes in terms of reconciliation. These successes, however, should not hide the fact that both sides have been rearming, that armed militias linked to political parties have developed, that there are divisions between politicians and the military, and that C�te d�Ivoire remains split in two. The country is �neither at war nor peace�, and the fragile peace process has to be consolidated.

Aware of the importance of C�te d�Ivoire and the of danger of neighbouring countries being pulled into the conflict, Partnership Africa Canada, The Conflict Studies Programme of Saint Paul University and the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee hope that this Symposium will contribute to consolidating the fragile peace.

The various presentations in the Symposium will analyse the causes of the crisis and the regional dimension, and will offer ideas to help find solutions to the fundamental issues, thereby allowing Canadian institutions to bring their contribution to a durable peace. Click here for the symposium programme and for background information on C�te d�Ivoire.

The initiative is supported by the Canadian Agency for International Development, the Department of Foreign Affairs (Canada), the International Development Research Centre and Rights and Democracy.

• Simultaneous interpretation provided.
• Access for disabled: by Amphitheatre entrance at rear of Saint Paul University
• Travel by bus: OC Transpo numbers 5 and 16

There is no registration fee, but please fill in the registration form on line.
Or print the registration form.

For information and to register by fax or by post, please contact:
Emmanuel Bationo
Coordinator, C�te d'Ivoire Symposium
Partnership Africa Canada
323 Chapel, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7Z2, Canada
Tel: +1-613-237-6768 Fax: +1-613-237-6530
[email protected]