Press conference by Côte d’Ivoire

 

The decision this past weekend, of the United Nations-mandated International Working Group monitoring Côte d’Ivoire’s post-civil war transition, not to renew the expiring mandate of the Ivorian National Assembly was unjust and threatened to derail prospects for peace and national reconciliation, Philippe Djangoné-Bi, Permanent Representative of Côte d’Ivoire to the United Nations, said during a press conference at Headquarters today.

The move was contrary to Security Council resolution 1633 (2005) and could jeopardize the normal functioning of all Ivorian institutions, including the National Assembly, and the holding of national elections, he said, adding that the Group had failed to exhaust all opportunities for dialogue with the various Ivorian parties, including the National Forum of Dialogue.

The decision not to renew the mandate of the parliament, which expired on 16 December, was published in the Group’s 15 January official communiqué.  Earlier today, the United Nations Security Council endorsed that statement.  However, Mr. Djangoné-Bi said that the Group did not have the power to dissolve the National Assembly and must not interfere in domestic affairs.

Côte d’Ivoire authorities were fully committed to advancing the peace process, through disarmament, national reunification, the creation of a reliable elections registry and the holding of free, fair and transparent elections.  “We are happy to see that there is growing cooperation between the (Ivorian) President (Laurent Gbagbo) and Prime Minister (Charles Konan Banny) ”, Mr. Djangoné-Bi said, expressing hope that the two leaders would work to reinstate the Assembly until elections were held.

He also deplored the reported killing of five demonstrators by members of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) in the western part of the country and indiscriminate threats against the protests’ alleged organizers.  Demonstrators gathered outside UNOCI headquarters on Monday to protest the disbandment of the Assembly.  Four United Nations vehicles were burned, and the following day the UNOCI office was firebombed.  Mr. Djangoné-Bi said it was important to focus on the reason for the protests.

[The Secretary-General recommended in his 13 January report to the Security Council adding 3,400 soldiers to UNOCI’s current 7,000 troops and extending the mission’s mandate for 12 months until January 2007.]

Responding to a reporter’s question as to whether the Secretary-General’s recommendation was wise, Mr. Djangoné-Bi said Ivorian authorities had never been asked if they wanted troop increases and regretted that plans to do so had been announced.

[ Côte d’Ivoire was divided into a Government-ruled south and rebel-held north after a failed coup in September 2002 triggered a civil war.  The Security Council set up UNOCI in May 2003 to help Ivorian parties implement their January 2003 peace agreement.]

* *** *

For information media • not an official record