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| Laurent Gbagbo was captured by Ouattara loyalists backed by French special forces (Photo: ZimDaily) |
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has granted prosecutors permission to investigate alleged war crimes in the Ivory Coast.
A spokesperson for the ICC said an investigation into the atrocities will begin soon.
“Next is the investigation to be conducted by the ICC prosecutor in the events that occurred since 28th November 2010, up to now and potentially, if there is more violent action that takes place in the future in Ivory Coast,” said Fadio El Abdallah.
“The prosecutor will gather the evidence and decide who he suspects to be responsible for potential war crimes or crimes against humanity.”
“The prosecutor will have to conduct the investigation [into] these allegations concerning both parties in a total independent and impartial manner.”
Both parties have been accused of committing war crimes during violence which flared in November last year, after former leader Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept the results of the presidential elections, which the UN ruled were won by rival Alassane Ouattara.
In the ensuing power struggle more than 3,000 people were killed and over 500,000 civilians were displaced, until the capture of Gbagbo by Ouattara loyalists, with the support of French commandos.