A/HRC/22/66 the detention of opposition officials not directly involved in serious economic crimes or murder and similar crimes. The third is political in nature [and would involve] participation in a Government of national unity. In the final analysis, only the reality of political pluralism and the vitality of democratic debate can counteract and call into question the temptation to resort to violence as a means of political expression. C. Diminished security environment 19. The Expert is concerned by the deterioration of the security situation, another serious factor that has a negative impact on the situation of human rights. UNOCI has identified at least 23 large-scale attacks since the beginning of August 2012 in Abidjan and in other parts of the country. These attacks, which are sometimes simultaneous, essentially target FRCI positions, gendarmeries and police stations. According to information provided by the Government on the situation of internal security from March to September 2012, other attacks took place including coup attempts and destabilization operations. 20. Some sources consider that these attacks are carried out by unidentified armed groups. However, according to the Ivorian authorities, they are planned and organized by supporters of former President Gbagbo from Ghana and Liberia, with the involvement of Liberian mercenaries. The objective would be to create a sense of insecurity in the country in order to discourage investors and cause emotional stress to the population. It should be emphasized that the FPI, sensing that it is under increasing pressure from the State security system, has condemned some of these attacks and remains concerned about the risks of confusion and reprisals faced by party officials, their activists and sympathizers. 21. Moreover, the attack of 14–15 October 2012 on the thermal power station at Azito in Yopougon, which provides electricity to Abdijan and the surrounding area, by individuals dressed in new gendarme uniforms illustrates the complexity of the current security situation. The military authorities have recognized that the recent attacks have benefited from complicity at the very core of the FRCI. Some observers recognize that there exists a diverse group of some 97,000 armed men in Côte d’Ivoire who could conduct attacks against State system structures and civilian populations. 22. In view of these security challenges, the Expert reaffirms the urgent need to expedite the DDR process and security sector reform. In spite of the Government’s efforts, delay in this field is contributing to the deterioration of the security situation in the country and giving rise to human rights violations. In this regard, the Expert welcomes the creation at the end of August of the Authority for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration under the authority of the National Security Council, headed by the President of the Republic. These reforms will require significant amounts of funding to be deployed that are well beyond the current capacity of Côte d’Ivoire to absorb future disarmed and demobilized ex-combatants. D. Economic and social progress 23. In economic terms, Côte d’Ivoire appears to be making solid progress and is progressively regaining its former position in the subregion, where it has long been the economic engine of the West African Economic and Monetary Union with 40 per cent of the Union’s [regional] gross domestic product (GDP). According to the Government, the growth rate for the coming three years should be between 9 per cent in 2013 and 10 per cent in 2014–2015. Moreover, the growth rate of the Ivorian economy has a significant impact on the countries of the subregion with which the Government has launched largescale regional projects in the infrastructure sector. GE.13-10074 7