Security Council Press Statement on Côte d’Ivoire

 

The following Security Council press statement was read out today by Council President Ertuğrul Apakan (Turkey):

The members of the Security Council were briefed by Choi Young-jin, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Côte d’Ivoire, on the electoral process in the country.

The members of the Security Council took note of the certification by the Special Representative, on 24 September, of the final voters’ list of 5.7 million that was agreed upon by the Ivorian parties on 6 September, and adopted by presidential decree on 9 September 2010.

The members of the Security Council congratulate the Ivorian stakeholders for this significant progress towards a transparent, fair and peaceful conclusion to the electoral process.  They further commended the efforts of the Facilitator, President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso, notably during the last meeting of the Permanent Consultative Framework, held in Ouagadougou on 21 September 2010.

The members of the Security Council urge the Ivorian stakeholders to meet their commitments to organize the first round of the elections on 31 October, as agreed by all parties during the meeting of the Permanent Consultative Framework, referred to above.  They recalled that any attempt to undo the achievements of the electoral process, or add preconditions to holding the elections that could delay them, would be inconsistent with the commitments taken by the parties.  They further stressed the need for the parties to ensure calm prior to, during and after the vote.

The members of the Security Council, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1933 (2010) and following the Secretary-General’s recommendations, agree to deploy up to 500 additional uniformed personnel to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) for a limited period of no more than six months, in order to reinforce the capacity of UNOCI to contribute to the security arrangements before, during and after the elections.

The members of the Security Council will continue to closely monitor the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, in particular the security conditions on the ground, and the completion of the remaining steps of the electoral process.

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For information media • not an official record