SECRETARY-GENERAL HOLDS TALKS ON WAY FORWARD IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

SECRETARY-GENERAL HOLDS TALKS ON WAY FORWARD IN C ÔTE D’IVOIRE

The following press communiqué was issued after the Secretary-General’s meeting with President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and the African Union Mediator for Côte d’Ivoire, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, today in New York:

The Secretary-General met with the Chairperson of the African Union, President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and the African Union Mediator for Côte d’Ivoire, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, to discuss the way forward in Côte d’Ivoire.

The participants agreed on the need to intensify the efforts of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations in support of the implementation of major agreements reached in Côte d’Ivoire.  They also concurred on the need for all parties to cooperate closely in a peaceful atmosphere and to re-establish a much-needed dialogue, to proceed in earnest and without delay towards the dismantling of militias, the disarmament of ex-combatants and the organization of free and credible elections.

The Secretary-General, President Obasanjo and President Mbeki expressed their determination to continue working closely together to assist the people of Côte d’Ivoire in achieving a peaceful and durable settlement of the crisis.

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For information media • not an official record