Security Council Press Statement on Côte d’Ivoire

The following Security Council press statement was read out today by Council President Brooke Anderson ( United States):

The members of the Security Council reiterate their support for the constructive role of the Secretary-General in Côte d’Ivoire and stress the important role that the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) under the leadership of his Special Representative continues to play under its existing mandate.

The members of the Security Council welcome efforts by the African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and countries in the region to assist in preserving peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire.

The members of the Security Council welcome the communiqué of the Chairman of the African Union, the statement of the African Union Peace and Security Council, and the Final Communiqué of the 7 December ECOWAS Commission Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on Côte d’Ivoire held in Abuja, Nigeria.  In view of ECOWAS’ recognition of Alassane Dramane Ouattara as President-elect of Côte d’Ivoire and representative of the freely expressed voice of the Ivorian people as proclaimed by the Independent Electoral Commission, the members of the Security Council call on all stakeholders to respect the outcome of the election.

The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest possible terms any effort to subvert the will of the people or undermine either the integrity of the electoral process or the free and fair elections in Côte d’Ivoire.

The members of the Security Council support the efforts of the African Union and ECOWAS in promoting dialogue in Côte d’Ivoire and call on all Ivorian stakeholders to exercise maximum restraint and work together to restore sustainable peace and foster political reconciliation in the country.

The members of the Security Council deplore the suspension of non-governmental media in Côte d’Ivoire.  They recall the importance that all citizens of Côte d’Ivoire have full access to pluralistic and diverse information in the media, and urge the Ivorian authorities to immediately restore equitable access to State media, as required by paragraph 7 of resolution 1933 (2010).

The members of the Security Council reiterate the readiness of the Security Council to impose targeted measures against persons who attempt to threaten the peace process, obstruct the work of UNOCI and other international actors, or commit serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, as required by paragraph 6 of resolution 1946 (2010).

The members of the Security Council call on all parties to cooperate fully in the operations of UNOCI and ensure its freedom of movement.  The members of the Security Council reiterate their support for UNOCI’s work to advance the Ivorian peace process until its successful completion.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record