Côte d’Ivoire stalemate, worsening political climate worry Secretary-General

 

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

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the continued stalemate in the Ivorian peace process, which has led to a deterioration of the political climate in the country.  The Ivorian people and the international community have invested considerable efforts in the political process, as defined in the road map based on a number of Security Council resolutions, including resolution 1721 (2006), as well as the decisions of the African Union.

The Secretary-General urges President Laurent Gbagbo and Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny to initiate a sustained political dialogue, with the participation of all Ivorian political leaders, in order to find common ground for resuming disarmament, identification of the population and electoral preparations, as well as on possible post-electoral arrangements.

The Secretary-General trusts that ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the African Union will do everything possible to assist the Ivorian leaders to relaunch the peace process in earnest.  The United Nations stands ready to explore additional practical ways of moving the peace process forward.

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For information media • not an official record