Chronology of events in Ivory Coast since the 2002 rebel uprising

ABIDJAN, Nov 6 (AFP) - At least eight French soldiers and a US citizen were killed and 23 people wounded in violence in the Ivory Coast Saturday, as the international community tried to rein in a deadly stand-off between rebels and loyalists in the divided west African state.
Fighting broke out between French peacekeeping troops and Ivorian government troops at Abidjan airport, and a French high school was set ablaze by anti-French demonstators.
In Paris, the French President office's said two additional companies of troops were being sent to reinforce peacekeeping forces to guarantee the security of French nationals.
In New York the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the Ivory Coast.

Following is a chronology of events since a failed coup d'etat in 2002 saw the former west African economic powerhouse descend into civil war.

September 2002
- 19: Rebels rise up against President Laurent Gbagbo, seizing key cities in the north.

October
- 17: The main rebel group signs an accord in Bouake to end hostilities. Gbagbo accepts the deal and asks former colonial power France to police it.
- 22: France sends troops to police a ceasefire.

November
- 1: The government accepts the principle of amnesty and reintegration of rebel forces into the army.
- 28: Two new rebel groups emerge in the west, where one day later, clashes between French troops and rebels leave at least 10 dead.

December
- 19: Amnesty International demands a UN probe after the discovery of mass graves.

January 2003
3-4: Gbagbo pledges to honour the ceasefire. The rebels agree to attend peace talks in Paris.
- 15: Peace talks begin in the southern Paris suburb of Marcoussis.
- 24: Marcoussis accords are signed, but not by Gbagbo.
- 25-26: Gbagbo accepts the peace deal and appoints Seydou Diarra as prime minister.

February
- 7: New reinforcements bring the French peacekeeping force to 4,000.

April
- 17: The new unity government holds its first meeting, with nine former rebel ministers attending.

July
- 4: End of the war officially announced by the army and former rebels, now called New Forces.

August
- 25: The former rebels say the reconciliation process is at an impasse.

September
- 12: Non-rebel officials are appointed ministers of defense and security.
- 23: New Forces ministers quit the unity government, accusing Gbagbo of hoarding power and refusing to implement the Marcoussis accord.

December
- 4: Gbagbo sets December 15 as the start date for the disarmament of the rebel fighters. He also announces the full implementation of the peace accords signed in January. A rebel spokesman denies that a date has been set for disarmament.

January 2004
- 6: Former rebels rejoin government.

March
- 8: Disarmament process is officially delayed.
- 25: Opposition parties hold protest, government forces launch violent crackdown. A UN inquiry later concludes that at least 120 people were killed in several days of violence that were "planned and executed" by state authorities.

April
- 5: UN peacekeepers formally take up duty in the divided country.
- 16: Gbagbo lifts ban on opposition demonstrations, a key demand of his political opponents.

May
- 19: Gbagbo sacks three opposition ministers from the transitional government, including a prominent rebel leader.

July
- 16: A UN commission launches a three-month investigation into human rights violations committed in Ivory Coast since the September 2002 uprising.

- 29: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan co-hosts summit in Accra that supplies a new way out of the crisis that adheres to Marcoussis accords, including a timetable for political reform and disarmament of the paramilitary and militia forces.

August
- 2: Mass graves packed with at least 99 bodies discovered in northern rebel stronghold. UN investigators say some of the victims appeared to have been suffocated.
- 11: Parliament opens debate on laws envisioned under Marcoussis, Accra peace pacts

September
- 1: Monitors express concern about delays in discussing the bills foreseen under Marcoussis

October
- 15: A third attempt to disarm paramilitary and militia forces fails.

November
- 4: Ivorian air force planes attack rebel-held cities of Bouake and Korhogo, killing three people and injuring 20. Rebels say the attacks nullify peace accords. Gbagbo loyalists attack opposition party and several newspaper offices in Abidjan.
- 5: African Union and French officials appeal for calm, as France calls situation extremely worrying. Ivorian military says bombings have achieved their objectives, a claim denied by the rebels.
- 6: Eight French soldiers killed, 23 wounded when Ivorian jets attack French positions in Bouake. French retaliate by destroying two Ivorian fighter jets in the capital.
African Union leaders meeting in Nigeria call for end to latest outbreak of violence. Rebels put death toll in Bouake and Korhogo at 11 dead, more than 100 wounded.
Fighting breaks out between French peacekeeping troops and Ivorian government soldiers at Abidjan's international airport.
A French high school in Abidjan is set ablaze by anti-French demonstators.
In Paris, the President's office announces France sending two additional companies of troops to reinforce its peacekeeping forces in Ivory Coast to guarantee the security of its nationals.
In New York, the UN Security Council convenes emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Ivory Coast.