Gravely Concerned about Situation in Côte d’Ivoire, Secretary-General Urges

 

Parties to Preserve Electoral Momentum, End Stalemate through Dialogue

 

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

The Secretary-General expresses his grave concern about the current Ivorian political situation and calls on all the parties to the Ouagadougou Political Agreement to find a rapid solution to the difficulties facing the Ivorian peace process, including the issues of the formation of the new Government and Independent Electoral Commission.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call to all the concerned parties to preserve the achievements made so far, including the provisional electoral list, and urges them to quickly establish the definitive electoral list, with a view to preserving the electoral momentum.  He calls on the Ivorian parties to resolve the current political stalemate through dialogue, within the framework of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement.

The Secretary-General is concerned about the clashes that occurred today in Gagnoa, which resulted in a number of deaths and injured people and are a reminder of the volatility of the situation.

The Secretary-General urges the Ivorian people to remain calm and the Ivorian political actors, authorities and the media to refrain from any action and rhetoric that could result in more violence.  His Special Representative for Côte d’Ivoire will continue to assist the Ivorian parties in the search for solutions to the current situation.

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For information media • not an official record