Resurgent violence in Cote d’Ivoire may stall long-term economic recovery

By Alpha Diedhiou

The succession of attacks against state security forces since the beginning of August 2012 by unidentified armed groups raises risks of a gradual return to heightened insecurity, both in the western regions and in the capital city – Abidjan. Increasing insecurity may undercut early efforts at public integrity enhancement and national reconciliation, which are vital for sustained economic recovery and long-term political stability.

A group of 10 armed men attacked state security forces and a prison on 15 August in the town of Dabou, 50km from Abidjan, killing five people, freeing and arming prisoners in the process. This incident follows another attack on 13 August against army positions on the border with Liberia in the south-western region of the country. Earlier attacks against army positions in Abidjan on 5 and 6 August killed 10 soldiers, illustrating the fragility of the transition from the 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis. (more…)