Reuters

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has appointed former rebel commanders to several key posts within the military.

Abidjan - Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has appointed to top military posts the leaders from a controversial militia that helped him take power in a post-election standoff, his office said on Thursday.

Fighters from the New Forces group of former rebels fought alongside Ouattara's Republic Forces of Ivory Coast (FRCI) in the standoff with forces backing former president Laurent Gbagbo that left 3 000 people dead.

A statement issued by the presidency said Ouattara had tapped several former New Forces commanders for key jobs, including Ousmane Cherif, accused by Human Rights Watch of ordering the kidnapping of those who backed Ouattara's political rival, Gbagbo.

Cherif, appointed as a deputy commander of the presidential security unit and considered a top Ouattara ally, is one of several former New Forces commanders accused of rights violations by the United Nations and rights groups.

A reshuffle of the West African nation's military is considered one of the toughest challenges facing Ouattara, who has said he wants to reunite the country following the protracted political crisis sparked by Gbagbo's refusal to accept defeat in a November election.

Ouattara took power following Gbagbo's arrest on April 11 in an operation by the FRCI, including some New Forces fighters also known as zone commanders or “Com-Zone”.

“The (Ouattara) regime could not thank the 'Com-Zone' with anything other than prestigious posts,” a Western security source told reporters.

The New Forces rebels tried and failed to oust Gbagbo in 2002.

After its foiled coup attempt, the group controlled much of northern Ivory Coast under the leadership of Guillaume Soro, now Ouattara's prime minister.

Gbagbo is under house arrest in the north of the country and Ouattara has said he will likely face both domestic and international prosecution for crimes committed during the five-month political standoff. - Sapa-AFP