U S State Department

Cote d'Ivoire 2016 Human Rights Report U S State Department

Cote d'Ivoire is a democratic republic ruled by a freely elected government. In legislative elections held on December 18, the ruling government coalition won 66 percent of National Assembly seats. The main opposition party, which boycotted the 2011 legislative elections, participated and won seats. The elections were peaceful and considered inclusive and transparent. The country held a presidential election in October 2015, in which President Alassane Ouattara was re-elected by a significant majority. International and domestic observers judged the election to be free and fair. Civilian authorities failed at times to maintain effective control over the security forces. In April the United Nations lifted all sanctions on the country and renewed the mandate of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) for a final year, until June 2017. Despite continued but slow improvements in security and political reconciliation, the government's efforts to restore the rule of law and address impunity after the 2010-11 postelectoral crisis remained incomplete.