Côte d'Ivoire

Situation in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire

ICC-02/11

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Côte d'Ivoire accepts ICC's jurisdiction: April 2003 – Rome Statute ratification: 15 February 2013

ICC Prosecutor opens proprio motu investigations after authorisation of Pre-trial Chamber: 3 October 2011

Current focus: Alleged crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court committed in the context of post-election violence in Côte d'Ivoire in 2010/2011, but also since 19 September 2002 to the present  

Current regional focus: Throughout Côte d'Ivoire, including, the capital of Abidjan and western Côte d'Ivoire  

DOCUMENTS

Jurisdiction in the general situation

Côte d'Ivoire, was not party to the Rome Statute at the time, had accepted the jurisdiction of the ICC on 18 April 2003; and on both 14 December 2010 and 3 May 2011, the Presidency of Côte d'Ivoire reconfirmed the country's acceptance of this jurisdiction. On 15 February 2013, Côte d'Ivoire ratified the Rome Statute. On 3 October 2011, Pre-Trial Chamber III granted the Prosecutor's request to open an investigation proprio motu in the situation in Côte d'Ivoire, with respect to alleged crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court, committed since 28 November 2010, as well as with regard to crimes that may be committed in the future in the context of this situation. On 22 February 2012, Pre-Trial Chamber III decided to expand its authorisation for the investigation in Côte d'Ivoire to include crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court allegedly committed between 19 September 2002 and 28 November 2010. The ICC may therefore exercise its jurisdiction over crimes listed in the Rome Statute committed on the territory of Côte d'Ivoire or by its nationals from 19 September 2002 onwards.

Context and alleged crimes

The investigation has focused on alleged crimes against humanity committed during the 2010/2011 post-electoral violence in Côte d'Ivoire. According to reports, the post-election violence erupted after Presidential election results between opponents Mr Laurent Gbagbo and Mr Alassane Ouattara were disputed.   

In granting the Prosecutor's request to open an investigation, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber noted the Prosecutor's intention to investigate the actions of both pro-Gbagbo and pro-Ouattara forces. The Prosecutor submitted that attacks directed against the civilian population in Côte d'Ivoire were widespread and systematic, and included, for example, raids conducted against headquarters of the opposing party, excessive force used in heavily populated areas in order to disperse protesters, and military roadblocks and checkpoints set up, at which killings allegedly occurred. The Prosecutor submitted that the acts were on a large scale, and that approximately 1 million people were displaced. The Prosecutor's supporting material also indicated the existence of several mass graves in Abidjan, and documentation relating to widespread arbitrary arrests, "disappearances" and incidents of rape.

The investigation has involved charges which include the following crimes:

  • crimes against humanity: murder, rape, other inhumane acts, attempted murder, and persecution

This was the first investigation opened while a country had accepted the Court's jurisdiction (under article 12(3) of the Rome Statute) but was not yet a State Party.

  • 2

    Cases

  • 3

    Warrants of arrest

Cases

The Blé Goudé case and Gbagbo case were joined on 11 March 2015. The trial began on 28 January 2016. On 15 January 2019, Trial Chamber I, by majority, acquitted Mr Laurent Gbagbo and Mr Charles Blé Goudé from all charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Côte d'Ivoire in 2010 and 2011. On 1 February 2019, the Appeals Chamber set conditions to be imposed on Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé upon their release to a State willing to accept them on its territory and willing and able to enforce the conditions set by the Chamber. On 16 July 2019, Trial Chamber I filed the written full reasons for the acquittal of  Mr Laurent Gbagbo and Mr Charles Blé Goudé. On 16 September 2019, the Prosecutor filed a notice of appeal against this decision.

On 31 March 2021, the Appeals Chamber confirmed, by majority, the acquittal decision of 15 January 2019.

Next steps: The acquittal of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé is now final. The Appeals Chamber revoked all conditions on the release of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé. The Chamber directed the ICC Registrar to make arrangements for the safe transfer of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé to a receiving State or States.

Questions and Answers on the Appeals judgmentEnglishFrench

Question and Answers on the acquittal: English, Français

Transcript of the hearing, 15 January 2019: English, Français