The government and rebels officially declared an end to the civil war that began on September 19, 2003. Both sides made the announcement to head off a serious threat to national reconciliation and to reassure Ivory Coast's 16 million people. 

President Gbagbo approved a draft amnesty law for the rebels and urged parliament to pass it quickly, which would clear the path for their demobilization and disarmament. The amnesty specifically covers acts of desertion and military rebellion, allowing soldiers and policemen who joined the rebels to be reintegrated into the security forces. The amnesty goes back well before the outbreak of the civil war itself on September 19, 2002 but specifically excludes economic crimes, violations of the international humanitarian law and "serious violations" of human rights. - Adam Geibel