The prosecutor at the International Criminal Court may open an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes after Ivory Coast's disputed elections last year. A pre-trial chamber authorised Luis Moreno Ocampo to start a probe in the west African country.

Find the decision here

The ICC said in a statement that it had "granted the Prosecutor’s request to commence an investigation in Cote d’Ivoire". It said the decision was made last Friday. The investigation relates to crimes committed since the November 28 presidential election "as well as with regards to crimes that may be committed in the future context of the situation," the court said.

The judges also asked Ocampo to return within a month with any additional information of crimes committed between 2002 and 2010.

Justice for victims
Ocampo said he will "conduct effective, independent and partial investigations," adding that the decision "ensures justice for victims in Côte d’Ivoire."

He added that "from today, the Prosecution will collect evidence impartially and independently, and as soon as possible we will present our cases before the Judges, who will ultimately decide who should face trial. Our investigation should be part of national and international efforts to prevent future crimes in Côte d’Ivoire."

The ICC Chief Prosecutor also said that the "recently-established Truth, Dialogue and Reconciliation Commission would be a central piece of such efforts. National authorities could define other activities to help the victims, ensure peaceful coexistence and prevent future violence. Promoting justice and reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire must be our common endeavour.” 

Request

While Côte d'Ivoire is not a member of the ICC, it first accepted the court's jurisdiction in 2003. In May this year, President Ouattara "reconfirmed the country's acceptance of this jurisdiction" and asked the ICC for assistance in ensuring that "the perpetrators would not go unpunished”.

Ocampo on June 23 asked judges' authorisation to mount an inquiry into widespread violence that followed the elections, in which he says "at least 3000 persons were killed, 72 persons disappeared, 520 person were subject to arbitrary arrest and detentions and there are over 100 reported cases of rape, while the number of unreported incidents is believed to be considerably higher.” 

When he asked the judges for permission to investigate, Ocampo also sent them a confidential list of the persons he suspects of bearing the most criminal responsiblity. Gbagbo is thought to be on this list. Speaking on satellite TV station France 24 in December 2010, Ocampo also named Charles Blé Goudé, head of the pro-Gbagbo “Young Patriots” militia.

Gbagbo was arrested on 11 April, 2011, by Ouattara forces assisted by the French. He is currently being detained in Korhogo, northern Côte d'Ivoire. Blé Goudé went into exile when the Gabgbo regime fell in April.

According to several human rights organizations, pro-Ouattara militia called Forces républicaines de Côte d’Ivoire (FRCI) are still committing abuses against civilians, while their leader Guillaume Soro is the current Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire.

In a separate development, Côte d'Ivoire last weer launched a Truth and Reconciliation Commission designed to help the country deal with its past and foster national unity. The TRC is composed of eleven well-known Ivorians including soccer star Didier Drogba, and is chaired by former Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny. Some members of the opposition are already saying they will not join the reconciliation process unless Gbagbo is freed.