This story is not getting a lot of press in the United States, but peace talks continue near Paris in an effort to reach an agreement to end the civil war in the Côte d'Ivoire. "Demonstrators on both sides of Ivory Coast's conflict held marches today, in shows of support for the government and rebels, as peace talks near Paris to end the civil war moved into a fourth day." By Rueters. [New York Times: International]  A family friend is heading there now as part of the French military force, so expect to see at least a news roundup of the conflict and hopeful resolution on this blog.

Overview of the current conflict and the parties, from Q&A on BBC Online in October

Côte d'Ivoire's peace conference--Economist.com (premium content)

Positive Signs at Ivory Coast Talks--BBC World--French mediators say there has been progress in talks between representatives of the Ivory Coast Government and rebels in Paris. There were also unconfirmed reports that a deal may be emerging on a thorny issue at the heart of the talks - rebel objections to controversial nationality laws.  As talks continued, the first West African peacekeepers arrived in Ivory Coast.  All sides to the negotiations stopped work to watch the Ivory Coast youth football team lose 4-3 in extra time to Egypt in the African Junior Cup final.

The Boston Globe--Saturday 18 Jan 2003.