Secretary-General, Deeply Alarmed by Call for Assault on Ivorian President-elect’s

Sanctuary, Warns Would-be Attackers They Will Be Held Accountable

 

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

The Secretary-General remains very concerned about the deteriorating situation in Côte d'Ivoire.  He is deeply alarmed to learn of the call by Charles Blé Goudé on the so-called Young Patriots to attack the Golf Hotel in Abidjan beginning on 1 January.  The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) has a significant number of military and police personnel deployed to provide security for the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and key political stakeholders, in keeping with its mandate as set out in Security Council resolution 1962 (2010).  He also stresses that UNOCI is authorized to use all necessary means to protect its personnel, as well as the Government officials and other civilians at these premises of the hotel.

The Secretary-General therefore wishes to warn that any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a crime under international law, for which the perpetrators and those who instigate them will be held accountable.

Any attack on the Golf Hotel could provoke widespread violence that could reignite civil war.  The Secretary-General calls on all those who may be contemplating participation in the attack to refrain from such dangerous irresponsible action.  He urges all the peace-loving citizens of Côte d'Ivoire to contribute instead to the restoration of lasting stability and democracy in their country.

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For information media • not an official record