The capture of Mr Gbagbo is a major victory for Mr Ouattara's fledgling government, and is an important milestone in Côte d'Ivoire's efforts to end its long-running conflict and restore stability. The rebels' decisive action against the presidential compound, supported by UNOCI and French troops, proved timely as they discovered vast quantities of munitions in the complex, including over 500 cases of BM-21 missiles. Speaking on national television Mr Ouattara declared a "new dawn of hope", and called on remaining pro-Gbagbo forces to lay down their weapons. Conscious of the collapse of the economy and the acute humanitarian crisis afflicting the country, Mr Ouattara promised to make restoring peace and stability his government's top priority. Negotiations are underway with leading figures from Mr Gbagbo's administration on the formation of a government of national unity in which Mr Ouattara has promised all regions and ethnic groups will be represented. This is expected to be announced shortly after Mr Ouattara is inaugurated as president in the political capital, Yamoussoukro, in the first half of May. Legislative elections, which had been due to take place shortly after the presidential election, are tentatively slated to take place before the end of the year.

On April 18th Mr Ouattara called on all public-sector workers to return to work, although few turned up as many offices had been looted and security remains poor. The following day his prime minister, Guillaume Soro, held his first ministerial meeting in government offices in the city's Plateau area, promising to get down to business immediately. Responding to international outcry at the wave of atrocities committed during the four months since the election, Mr Ouattara pledged to set up a truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) to investigate all atrocities committed and punish those responsible, including pro-Ouattara forces if evidence is found of their involvement. Mr Ouattara also promised an investigation into the dealings of Mr Gbagbo, his wife and entourage, and he is keen to try him in an Ivorian court rather than transfer Mr Gbagbo to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.