Reconciliation challenges

On the other side of the divide, the Executive Committee of former President Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front Party has condemned the International Criminal Court's decision in taking Gbagbo to The Hague to stand trial. Gbagbo was charged with four counts of crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the post-election violence between December 2010 and April 2011.

Meanwhile, the chief party spokesman of Gbagbo's party, Deisire Boussi announced their party's withdrawal from Cote d'Ivoire's national reconciliation process following the ICC transfer of Gbagbo to The Hague, accusing President Ouattara of joking about reconciliation. Many see this as dangerous for the restoration of unity to Cote d'Ivoire.

Notwithstanding the accusations, on September 28, 2011 the National Commission on Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation commenced its work in the Ivorian capital Abidjan with the expectation that it will help create conditions for permanent peace and lead the process of reconciliation.

Many have stressed the need for unity in rebuilding Cote d'Ivoire. The World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region, Obiageli Ezekwesili, said the importance of rebuilding social cohesion in a country that previously had very strong social capital based on unity, diversity and a vibrant economy in the sub-region of West Africa.

It must however be noted that Ivoirians are skeptical of the reconciliation commission's ability to heal the country. "We don't really understand how it is going to work," said Patrick N'Gouan, who heads a civil rights umbrella group, Convention for Civil Society, adding that civil society was not adequately consulted on the commission's membership.

Ouattara has pledged on several occasions that the Ivorian justice system will investigate all sides. The appointment of former warlords, some of whom are alleged to have committed war crimes to significant positions in the new national army FRCI, has not always inspired confidence, but such appointments are reportedly a strategy by Ouattara to weaken their influence in the long term, and this appears to be having some impact.

Economy fears

Many Ivoirians are however concerned not only with uniting the nation but also to resurrect their dead and turbulent economy so that they can live a normal life by taking care of their families.

"For the first time in Cote d'Ivoire's history we found ourselves unable to pay salaries in March 2011," the Economy and Finance Minister of Cote d'Ivoire, Charles Koffi Diby, told roundtable participants of the World Bank last year. "Unless something is done urgently, we may find ourselves in an infernal spiral of arrears," he added.

A ban on exports of Cote d'Ivoire's leading export (cocoa), a massive run on banks, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and an outflow of refugees have all made the crisis worse.

Fortunately for them, the World Bank has come to their aid and has recently provided two grants to Cote d'Ivoire: $150 million in budget support and $50 million for youth employment.

Preliminary estimates show that 3-7 percent of Cote d'Ivoire's GDP was lost as economic activity came to a halt due to the heavy fighting.

The crisis in Cote d'Ivoire originates from longstanding issues ranging from nationality to social and economic inclusion that are common to many post-colonial societies across Africa. Peace, stability, law and order and reconciliation will be essential for a quick, sustainable economic recovery in the country. These elements provide a necessary basis for engendering good governance and inclusive growth that reflects participation of all Ivoirians.

That is why it is heartwarming to know that longstanding development partners of Cote d'Ivoire, including the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the African Development Bank, the African Union, ECOWAS, as well as officials from China, France, and the United States have all pledged to aid Cote d'Ivoire to revamp her economy.

(Reporting from Ghana)