A/HRC/35/43 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 32/30, adopted on 26 June 2016, in which the Council requested the Independent Expert to present a report and his final recommendations at its thirty-fifth session. The report covers the period from 28 May 2016 to 15 April 2017 and is the outcome of the Independent Expert’s fifth visit to Côte d’Ivoire, which took place from 10 to 17 January 2017. 2. The present report is issued in the particular context of the imminent and definitive withdrawal of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI). This mission began 13 years ago, on 4 April 2004, under Security Council resolution 1528 (2004) of 27 February 2004 and will end on 30 June 2017, under Security Council resolution 2284 (2016) of 28 April 2016. The departure of the mission poses a major challenge with regard to the need to consolidate the considerable achievements made in Côte d’Ivoire in a number of areas, including national reconciliation and social cohesion; the promotion and protection of human rights; the reform of the defence, security and law-enforcement sectors; the demobilization, disarming and reintegration of former combatants; the management of weapons and civilian disarmament; and communication. 3. These achievements are, first and foremost, the achievements of all Ivorians, who have actively contributed to bringing them about with the support of the international community. In that regard, the Independent Expert wishes to stress that the international community should continue to support Côte d’Ivoire in its efforts to bring about a satisfactory transition towards the full resumption of its rightful role as the protector and promoter of human rights in its territory. Specifically, this includes both safeguarding and consolidating the achievements of a United Nations mission that has largely been successful, in order to prevent any risk of the situation deteriorating following the departure of UNOCI. This departure, while necessary, could turn out to be premature in the light of the evolving situation in the country. 4. The mission of the Independent Expert, who was appointed by the Human Rights Council to support Côte d’Ivoire in the areas of capacity-building and technical cooperation, also ends in June 2017, coinciding with the final departure of UNOCI. II. General situation in the country A. Economic situation 5. Côte d’Ivoire has continued to make economic and social progress. This is a very positive and hopeful development. Since 2012, the average annual economic growth rates have been close to double figures. However, the situation presents significant challenges. First, Côte d’Ivoire should strive to maintain this positive momentum by ensuring that economic progress is accompanied by a solid foundation of social peace and political stability. The country’s rapid expansion could be undermined by social unrest if grievances are not addressed in good time through sustained dialogue and consultation. 6. In that regard, it must be stressed that, in order for economic progress to be perpetuated, it is necessary for the Government to continue implementing and strengthening a proactive economic policy that ensures that the strategy for macroeconomic development in such fields as infrastructure, institutions and finance is accompanied by a parallel human development in the areas of education, health and social justice, particularly for the benefit of the most vulnerable sectors of the population. B. Security situation 7. Although efforts to bring about national reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire have begun to bear fruit, the process remains a slow and fragile one. In this regard, it should be noted that, in January 2017, increased social unrest within the armed forces and the civil service 4 GE.17-08076