EU Imposes Travel Ban on Cote d'Ivoire's Laurent Gbagbo

Strategic Insights -

International pressure is mounting on Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo to step down after he refused to acknowledge the outcome of the November 28 presidential election, which many consider him to have lost. The European Union (EU) has imposed a travel ban on Gbagbo and his entourage, while the United Nations (UN) has warned that anyone responsible for attacks on civilians or peacekeepers could face an international tribunal. Meanwhile, the Security Council has backed a resolution extending the local UN mission for a further six months and urging it to support the provision of security for the government and key political stakeholders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU has imposed a travel ban on Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo and his entourage, including his wife Simone, and 17 close allies.
  • The UN Security Council has backed a resolution extending the local UN mission for a further six months and urging it to support the provision of security for the government and key political stakeholders.
  • The US has also announced its readiness to impose sanctions on Gbagbo and called for him to step down, with Robert Gibbs, White House spokesman, stating, "It is time for him to go."
  • The Security Council has warned that anyone responsible for attacks on civilians or peacekeepers could face an international tribunal.
  • Emile Guirieoulou, the interior minister, has threatened to prevent the UN peacekeeping chief from communicating with the government if the force is not withdrawn.
  • Pascal Affi N'Guessan, a Gbagbo aide, has dismissed the sanctions as ineffective, while the interior minister, Guirieoulou, has downplayed the impact of the travel ban.
  • The election has heightened tensions in Cote d'Ivoire, with cocoa futures reaching four-month highs in recent weeks due to market fears of disrupted supplies.

Statistics:

  • Over 50 lives have been claimed by violence in Cote d'Ivoire since the election.
  • The UN Security Council has backed a resolution extending the local UN mission for a further six months.
  • 10,000 United Nations peacekeepers are currently deployed in Cote d'Ivoire.
  • The EU travel ban list is expected to include top security, ruling party, and regular army officials, as well as figures in Gbagbo's and Simone's entourage.
  • Cocoa beans have been getting through to port, but there have been delays in registering them for export.

Sources:

  • This Day/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX
  • Aljazeera.com