Security Council                                           

4959^th Meeting (PM)                                         

in presidential statement, security council expresses ‘grave concern’

at current impasse in côte d’ivoire peace process

The Security Council this afternoon expressed grave concern at the current impasse in the peace agreement in Côte d’Ivoire, known as the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, and at the events which occurred in that country at the end of March.

In a presidential statement read by Council President Gunter Pleuger (Germany), the Council underscored the importance of investigating all alleged violations of human rights committed in Côte d’Ivoire so that those responsible do not remain unpunished, and emphasized the individual responsibility of each of the Ivorian actors in the settlement of the crisis.

Following an attempted coup in September 2002, resulting in widespread violence and a humanitarian crisis, the country remained virtually divided, with its southern part under the control of the Government, and the north by rebel groups.  A peace agreement was signed by the Côte d’Ivoire political forces in Linas-Marcoussis, France, on 24 January 2003.

On 27 February, through adoption or resolution 1528 (2004), the Council established the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), among other things, to observe and monitor the implementation of the comprehensive ceasefire agreement of 3 May 2003.  The UNOCI would consist of 6,240 UN personnel.

The meeting, which started at 12:17 p.m., was adjourned at 12:21 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2004/12 reads, as follows:

“The Security Council expresses its grave concern at the events which occurred in Côte d’Ivoire at the end of March and at the current impasse in the peace process defined in the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement,

“The Security Council underscores the importance of investigating all alleged violations of human rights committed in Côte d’Ivoire so that those responsible do not remain unpunished,

“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the territorial integrity and unity of Côte d’Ivoire,

“The Security Council recalls that it endorsed the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement which remains the only possible solution to the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire,

“The Security Council further recalls that all Ivorian political forces have committed themselves to implement fully and with no conditions the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. The Security Council decided, on the basis of this commitment, to deploy the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire to support the process of peaceful settlement of the crisis, which is to culminate in 2005 with the organization of free, fair and transparent elections,

“The Security Council emphasizes the individual responsibility of each of the Ivorian actors in the settlement of the crisis,

“The Security Council expresses its readiness to consider further steps to encourage full implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement and to promote the process of national reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire, including actions that might be taken, if necessary, against individuals whose activities are an obstacle to the full implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement.”

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