SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL DECREE REGARDING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE; SAYS RELAUNCHING PEACE PROCESS DEMANDS ALL PARTIES’ COOPERATION

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL DECREE REGARDING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

IN C ÔTE D’IVOIRE ; SAYS RELAUNCHING PEACE PROCESS DEMANDS ALL PARTIES’ COOPERATION

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 29 January:

The Secretary-General expresses his concern about the unexpected issuance of a Presidential decree concerning the National Assembly. This announcement does not appear to be in conformity with the information he received from President Obasanjo and from the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire on the outcome of the visit of the President of Nigeria to Abidjan.

The Secretary-General underlines the need to avoid all unilateral action.  He recalls that all parties must strictly adhere to the provisions of Security Council resolution 1633 (2005), and emphasises the importance of the African Union’s decisions.

The Secretary-General intends to stay in contact with the concerned parties, with a view to obtaining the implementation of resolution 1633 (2005) and the decisions of the International Working Group.  The relaunching of the peace process demands the cooperation of all parties between them and with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.

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For information media • not an official record