Ivory Coast ex-president Laurent Gbagbo, the first former head of state to go on trial before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, faces crimes against humanity charges for unrest triggered by his bid to cling on to power in 2010.
Following are key dates leading up to his trial:
- 2010: Post-electoral crisis -
After being delayed six times since 2005, presidential elections finally take place with incumbent Gbagbo facing off against old rival Alassane Ouattara in a final round November 28.
Days later, on December 3, the constitutional council declares Gbagbo victor -- but the electoral commission says Ouattara won.
The UN too recognises Ouattara as the victor, with the European Union, United States and former colonial power France urging Gbagbo to concede defeat.
But a day later Gbagbo's allies hang the chain of office around his neck and Ouattara swears himself in as president in a handwritten letter.
On December 7, west Africa's regional ECOWAS bloc suspends Ivory Coast over the crisis and calls on Gbagbo to yield. The African Union follows suit.
Gbagbo digs in however. He remains at the presidential palace and has the support of the army. Ouattara sets up his government headquarters at the Golf Hotel in Abidjan.
A deadly five-month crisis ensues.
- 2011: Gbagbo arrested, Ouattara sworn in -
On March 28, after months of tension, unrest and unsuccessful mediation efforts, forces loyal to Ouattara based in the north launch an offensive against the army and win control of much of the country in four days.
French and UN soldiers deploy in Abidjan to prevent the use of heavy weapons in what has become a civil war.
On April 11, after 10 days of fighting in the capital, Gbagbo is arrested by Ouattara's troops.
More than 3,000 people are killed during the crisis.
According to the UN and several international organisations the seizure in late March by pro-Ouattara forces of the town of Duekoue in the west is marked by large-scale massacres.
On May 21 Ouattara is sworn in as president before 20 African leaders and French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
- 2011: Gbagbo transferred to the ICC -
On November 30 Gbagbo is transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
In March 2014 he is joined by his former militia chief Charles Ble Goude. Both are accused of crimes against humanity for the violence that took place during the post-electoral crisis.
- 2014: Reconciliation commission -
From September 8-30 a Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission holds public hearings of victims and perpetrators of the 2000-2011 political-military crisis, but is criticised for its lack of organisation and results.
- 2015: Simone Gbagbo convicted -
On March 10, former first lady Simone Gbagbo is sentenced in the main city Abidjan to 20 years in prison for her role in the post-election crisis.
- 2016: Gbagbo and Ble Goude on trial -
Gbagbo and Ble Goude both face charges at the ICC of triggering political unrest after the disputed election.
In Ble Goude's case he is accused of commanding men who murdered, raped and burned hundreds of people alive.
On November 27, 2015 the ICC said Gbagbo had been declared "physically and mentally able" to stand trial.