Secretary-General Urges Calm after Dissolution of Ivorian Electoral Commission

The following statement was issued on 15 February by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General and his Special Representative for Côte d’Ivoire are closely following the evolution of the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and keep consulting with stakeholders after the public announcement, made on Friday, that the Government and the Independent Electoral Commission have been dissolved.

The Secretary-General urges the Ivorian people to remain calm and avoid resorting to any action that could cause renewed violence.  He also calls on the Ivorian political leaders and other national stakeholders to exercise restraint, avoid measures that could return the country to instability, and resolve the current challenges related to the already repeatedly delayed elections through dialogue, within the framework of the Ouagadougou Peace Agreements.

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For information media • not an official record