Abidjan , Ivory Coast ( CNN ) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised the leader of Ivory Coast for progress made toward peace Tuesday but urged greater dialogue with the opposition to heal the wounds of a deadly political crisis . It 's a `` historic moment '' for the Ivory Coast , Clinton said during a press conference with President Alassane Ouattara , who welcomed her to the presidential palace in the nation 's commercial capital , Abidjan . Clinton 's visit -- the first by a U.S. secretary of state to the west African nation in a quarter of a century -- comes just over a year after contested presidential polls , which led to widespread violence . The former French colony was gripped by a post-election crisis from December 2010 to April 2011 after former President Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after his defeat in the presidential election of November 2010 . The United States was , along with France and the United Nations , a key ally of Ouattara in his conflict with Gbagbo . Gbagbo is now in The Hague , Netherlands , where he is accused of four counts of crimes against humanity for his role in attacks by forces loyal to him on those believed to be supporters of Ouattara , who was recognized internationally as the winner of the 2010 election . Prosecutors say more than 3,000 people died in the post-election violence . Parliamentary elections held in Ivory Coast in December were calm , but Gbagbo 's Front Populaire Ivoirien boycotted the vote , saying Ouattara 's government was fostering a climate of terror . Speaking alongside Ouattara , Clinton expressed her `` admiration for the progress achieved and gradual return to normality , which is a bearer of hope for peace and security . '' But she also struck a warning note , saying reconciliation is needed . `` Securing these gains for democracy , prosperity and security -- for people around here and for your neighbors -- will require much work , '' she said . `` It will be particularly important to include all voices , including those that are discordant , for the purpose of the political dialogue . '' `` We trust , President ( Barack ) Obama and myself , that the Ivory Coast may be again the engine of economic growth for Ivorian people , but also for the entire region , '' the secretary of state added . Rights group Amnesty International has said that crimes were committed by forces loyal to both sides in the post-election conflict , and has urged Ouattara 's government not to allow a culture of impunity . `` Amnesty International has repeatedly called upon the Ivorian authorities and the ( International Criminal Court ) prosecutor to investigate all crimes under international law committed by all parties , '' the right group said in a statement in November . `` The organization has documented crimes against humanity , as well as war crimes , including murder , enforced disappearances , torture and crimes of sexual violence committed in the country , in particular between 2002 and May 2011 . '' In Abidjan Tuesday , Ouattara spoke of his government 's `` firm determination to build a rule of law , impartial justice with respect for human rights . '' Ouattara said Ivory Coast would carry out reforms to the cocoa producing sector , in which the United States has a big stake , by the end of the month . Ivory Coast is the world 's leading cocoa producer . Ouattara said he and Clinton had held a `` full discussion '' on international diplomatic issues , as well as the position of the African continent on the world stage . Addressing Clinton , he said , `` You , and we , believe that peace is essential for the Ivory Coast to the African continent and the world . '' While the Ivory Coast now enjoys peace , he said , building a strong relationship with the United States would help it meet the many challenges still ahead . Ouattara was welcomed by Obama at the White House in July 2011 , along with the presidents of Niger , Guinea and Benin , in recognition of democratic processes in those countries . Clinton was in Liberia on Monday , where she attended the inauguration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf . She left the Ivory Coast early Tuesday afternoon to conclude her mini-tour in Togo and Cape Verde . The first U.S. secretary of state to visit Togo , Clinton met with President Faure Gnassingbe in Lome `` to demonstrate U.S. support for Togo 's democratic progress and economic reforms , '' the State Department said . Togo was elected a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations last year . Journalist Eric Biantuadi contributed to this report .
Clinton visits Ivory Coast as part of a more than 3,000 -country tour of Ivory Coast . She praises the progress made but urges greater efforts toward reconciliation . West Africa was torn by post-election violence from between 2002 . Former President Clinton now faces four counts of crimes against humanity .