Security Council

6431^st Meeting (PM)

Ahead of Run-Off Elections in Côte d’Ivoire, Security Council Authorizes

 

Temporary Re-Deployment of Troops, Helicopters from Liberia Mission

 

Acting on a letter from the Secretary-General, dated 22 November, concerning the planned run-off elections scheduled to take place in Côte d’Ivoire on 28 November (document A/2010/601), the Security Council today authorized a temporary redeployment of support from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) for a period of up to four weeks.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1951 (2010) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council authorized the temporary transfer of a maximum of three infantry companies and an aviation unit comprised of two military utility helicopters from neighbouring UNMIL.

As no candidate had received a majority of votes during the first round of voting in Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential elections on 31 October, a second round of balloting was set for 28 November, with campaigning having begun mid-month.

In earlier developments, the Council, on 29 September, unanimously adopted resolution 1942 (2010) authorizing a temporary increase of 500 personnel for UNOCI to contribute to security before and after the elections, and on 30 June, it renewed the Operation’s mandate until the end of the year, determined to fully support a credible electoral process and in an effort to shore up implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.  (See Press Releases SC/10045 and SC/9969)

The meeting began at 4:09 p.m. and was adjourned at 4:12 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1951 (2010) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions and statements of its President relating to the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and in the subregion,

“Noting the letter of 22 November 2010 from the Secretary-General concerning the planned run-off elections scheduled to take place in Côte d’Ivoire on 28 November 2010,

“Recalling the inter-mission cooperation arrangements provided for in paragraphs 4 to 6 of Security Council resolution 1609 (2005),

“Also mindful of the need to support the United Nations Mission in Liberia’s (UNMIL) ability to carry out its mandate,

“Determining that the situation in Côte d’Ivoire continues to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides to authorize the Secretary-General to temporarily redeploy from UNMIL to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) for a period of no more than four weeks a maximum of three infantry companies and an aviation unit comprised of two military utility helicopters from UNMIL to UNOCI;

“2.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record