Reconciliation forum submits recommendations to President

The steering committee of Cote d'Ivoire's National Reconciliation Forum has submitted to President Laurent Gbagbo the results of a three-month public debate in which representatives of political, religious, non-governmental, academic and other groups analysed and proposed solutions for the country's socio-political problems.

One of the most important resolutions presented by the committee concerns the dispute between Cote d'Ivoire's politicians over the nationality of former prime minister Alassane Ouattara. Describing it as the fundamental cause of the political crisis that has plagued the country for years, the forum recommended that the government deliver Ouattara a certificate of nationality.

Analysts told IRIN that this was a good recommendation although it would only solve part of the problem. The remaining obstacle lies in Ouattara's eligibility for political office, which does not come automatically with the recognition that he is an Ivorian national.

The issue of Ouattara's nationality has been at the core of Ivorian politics for almost a decade. Ouattara and his party say he is Ivorian, but his detractors deny this. He was barred from competing in presidential and legislative elections in 2000 by the Constitutional Court, which deemed him unable to prove that both he and his parents were Ivorians.

Others resolutions included reforming the judiciary, creating a committee of law experts to fine-tune the constitution, re-opening the inquiry into a massacre committed around election time last year, and controlling immigration.

Overall, the analysts saw the 14 resolutions as positive steps that could help resolve the country's problems. However, political scientist Constant Zeze told IRIN he was concerned over the fact that the committee's recommendations were not binding. It is up to the president to decide whether they will be implemented.

The local press on Friday characterised the resolutions as a positive step towards peace.

The forum, which opened on 9 October, will be officially closed on 18 December.