SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN OPERATION IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE UNTIL 4 JUNE,

 

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1600 (2005)

The Security Council decided this afternoon to extend the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), and of the French forces supporting it, for one month, until 4 June 2005.

Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1600 (2005), by which it welcomed the 6 April 2005 signature by the Ivorian parties, in Pretoria, of the agreement on the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire (the Pretoria Agreement, document S/2005/270) under the auspices of South African President Thabo Mbeki.  It commended President Mbeki for the essential role he had played, on behalf of the African Union, to restore peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire and reaffirmed its full support for his mediation efforts.

The Council welcomed further President Mbeki’s decision with regard to the eligibility for the Presidency of the Republic, as described in his letter of 11 April 2005 sent to President Laurent Gbagbo of Côte d’Ivoire (document S/2005/270), and took note with satisfaction of the latter’s announcement on 26 April 2005 that all candidates nominated by the political parties signatory to the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement would be eligible for the Presidency.

Calling on all parties to implement the Pretoria Agreement fully, the Council remindedthem that they had decided in the Pretoria Agreement to refer to the mediator, President Mbeki, any differences which may arise in the interpretation of any part of that accord.  It urgedall the Ivorian parties to take all necessary steps to ensure that the forthcoming general elections would be free, fair and transparent.

The meeting began at 3:15 p.m. and ended at 3:20 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of Security Council resolution 1600 (2005) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its resolutions 1528 (2004) of 27 February 2004, 1572 (2004) of 15 November 2004, 1584 (2005) of 1 February 2005 and 1594 (2005) of 4 April 2005, as well as the relevant statements of its President, in particular those of 16 December 2004 (S/PRST/2004/48) and of 6 November 2004 (S/PRST/2004/42),

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Côte d’Ivoire, and recalling the importance of the principles of good neighbourliness, non-interference and regional cooperation,

“Recalling that it endorsed the agreement signed by the Ivorian political forces in Linas-Marcoussis on 24 January 2003 (S/2003/99) (the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement) approved by the Conference of Heads of State on Côte d’Ivoire, held in Paris on 25 and 26 January 2003, and the Agreement signed in Accra on 30 July 2004 (the Accra III Agreement),

“Welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States towards re-establishing peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire, and reaffirming in this regard its full support to the ongoing facilitation mission undertaken by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, on behalf of the African Union,

“Determining that the situation in Côte d’Ivoire continues to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Welcomes the signature by the Ivorian parties on 6 April 2005 in Pretoria of the agreement on the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire (the Pretoria Agreement) (S/2005/270), under the auspices of President Thabo Mbeki, commends President Thabo Mbeki for the essential role he has played, on behalf of the African Union, to restore peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire and reaffirms its full support for his mediation efforts;

“2.   Calls on all parties to implement fully the Pretoria Agreement and reminds them that they have decided in the Pretoria Agreement to refer to the mediator, President Thabo Mbeki, any differences which may arise in the interpretation of any part of the agreement;

“3.   Welcomes further the decision taken by President Thabo Mbeki with regard to the eligibility for the Presidency of the Republic, as described in the letter he sent on 11 April 2005 to Mr. Laurent Gbagbo, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (S/2005/270), and takes note with satisfaction of the announcement made by President Laurent Gbagbo on 26 April 2005 that all candidates nominated by the political parties signatory to the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement would be eligible for the Presidency;

“4.   Urges all the Ivorian parties to take all necessary steps to ensure that the forthcoming general elections are free, fair and transparent;

“5.   Decides that the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire and of the French forces which support it shall be extended for a period of one month until 4 June 2005;

“6.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

* *** *