The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) reports that severe violations of human rights and acts of intimidation continue to be noted in many neighbourhoods of Abidjan and in the west of the country. These acts include identifying dwellings by marking them with distinctive signs. As the violence goes on, the number of dead, wounded and missing persons is increasing rapidly.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, briefed the Security Council today on developments in that country. He said that all sides, including the Taliban, realize that there is no military solution, and he described United Nations support for reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) says that some 55,000 Southern Sudanese who had been living in the northern part of the country have returned home ahead of the January referenda. But the new arrivals are straining a fragile humanitarian situation in South Sudan.
The Secretary-General has made clear that any attack on UN forces in Cote d’Ivoire will be an attack on the international community and those responsible will be held accountable. Any actions obstructing UN operations are similarly unacceptable. The UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) will fulfil its mandate, documenting any human rights violations or attacks on UN peacekeepers.
The United Nations mission in Côte d’Ivoire, UNOCI, is calling on all parties to show restraint and to remain calm. It reiterates that violence is not the way to resolve the political stalemate. It also says that parties should refrain from acts that could jeopardize the numerous efforts being made to allow the will of the Ivorian people, as expressed on 28 November, to prevail.
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the continuing political stalemate in Côte d’Ivoire. He reiterates his call to refrain from any actions that could provoke violence, and stresses that in the currently charged political environment such actions could have unpredictable consequences, including reigniting civil war.
Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Security Council today that, following recent developments in the region, the need to shift strategy is evident. He said that we understand that the United States will now engage both sides in indirect talks on all the final status issues, and the Secretary-General expects the parties to engage seriously.
The Secretary-General will meet with Member States in an informal plenary meeting of the General Assembly this afternoon, to discuss the UN climate change negotiations that concluded over the weekend in Cancún, Mexico — having delivered important success for a world much in need of it. He will also talk about recent developments in Haiti and Côte d’Ivoire, among other topics.
Today is Human Rights Day, and the Secretary-General spoke at a number of events, including one on ending violence and criminal sanctions based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Security Council issued a statement to the press last night on Côte d'Ivoire, in which Council members noted the recognition by the Economic Community of West African States of Alassane Ouattara as President-elect of Côte d'Ivoire. Council members called on all stakeholders to respect the outcome of the election.