Security Council press statement on Côte d’Ivoire

The following Security Council press statement on Côte d’Ivoire was delivered yesterday, 22 October, by Council President Leslie K. Christian ( Ghana):

The members of the Security Council were briefed on the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire by Mr. Djibrill Bassolé, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, in his capacity as representative of the Facilitator, President Blaise Compaoré, and by Mr. Abou Moussa, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Côte d’Ivoire.

Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support for the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and paid tribute to President Compaoré of Burkina Faso for his continued efforts to facilitate the peace process.

Members of the Security Council welcomed the initial measures taken in implementation of some elements of the Agreement, including the deployment of six mixed units, which made it possible to lift the “confidence zone” and to replace it by some United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) observation points on the green line.  Members of the Security Council, however, expressed concern at the delays reported by the Secretary-General in its report dated 8 October (document S/2007/593).

Members of the Security Council urged the parties to meet their commitments fully and in good faith, including by taking without delay some specific measures to make progress in the identification and registration of voters; the disarmament and dismantling of militias; the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme; the restoration of State authority throughout the country; the unification and restructuring of the defence and security forces; and respect for human rights.

Members of the Security Council reiterated the international community’s determination to support the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire and to continue to provide financial, technical and logistical assistance to this effect.  Council members recalled that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General was to certify that all stages of the electoral process provide all the necessary guarantees for the holding of open, free, fair and transparent presidential elections in accordance with international standards.

As proposed by the Secretary-General in the Security Council report dated 8 October 2007 (document S/2007/593), members of the Council expressed the view that it was necessary to maintain the mandate of UNOCI, that of the French forces which support it, and the troop levels of UNOCI, as set out in the resolution 1765 (2007).  Council members stated their intention to review the situation by 15 January 2008, pursuant to Security Council resolution 1765 (2007), on the basis of a new report by the Secretary-General.

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For information media • not an official record