CÔTE D’IVOIRE DESERVES FULL INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION, SECRETARY-GENERAL STRESSES

AT SIGNING CEREMONY FOR ELECTORAL CODE OF GOOD CONDUCT

 

(Translated from the original French.)

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s address on the occasion of the signature of the protocol of understanding between the Ivorian Government and the donors on support for the peace process, in Abidjan, on 23 April:

It gives me great pleasure to be present at the signing of this protocol of understanding between the Ivorian Government, the European Commission, Japan and France.  The contributions of those donors will allow for the implementation, in partnership with the United Nations, of the crisis resolution programmes and the electoral process.  The decisive action taken today by the donors clearly demonstrates the willingness of the international community to lend concrete support to all Ivorians as they embark upon the road to peace.

I am pleased and reassured by the progress made by the Ivorian parties with the support of the Facilitator.  An election date has been formally agreed upon.  The Government has signed an agreement with the technical agency SAGEM Securité.  The mobile court hearings have taken place.  And very significant decrees on the electoral process have been promulgated, including one outlining the arrangements for cooperation between the National Institute of Statistics, SAGEM and the Independent Electoral Commission.

I pay tribute to the Ivorian parties, the Facilitator and the donors.  These developments represent a good start to the long and difficult process that will lead to the crucial election on 30 November 2008.

I should like to take this opportunity to reiterate the international community’s firm resolve to support the Ivorian people until the conclusion of the peace process.  Today’s ceremony is evidence of that unwavering commitment.

There will certainly be obstacles.  But I am sure that, together, the Ivorian people and the international community will overcome them.

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For information media • not an official record