UN Security Council Considers Tough Measures Against Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations Security Council is exploring new measures to persuade Ivory Coast's President Laurent Gbagbo to relinquish power after months of post-election violence. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 462 people and displaced nearly a million individuals in the country's commercial capital, Abidjan. France and Nigeria have submitted a draft resolution to the Security Council, which includes measures such as removing Gbagbo from office, halting violence against civilians, banning heavy weapons in the Abidjan area, and imposing sanctions on Gbagbo and his close advisors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution that includes measures to remove President Gbagbo from office and halt violence against civilians in Ivory Coast.
  • The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 462 people and displaced nearly a million individuals in Abidjan.
  • France and Nigeria presented the draft resolution to the Security Council, which includes a referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court at The Hague.
  • UNOCI peacekeepers have been obstructed by forces loyal to Gbagbo, and at least one peacekeeper was abducted on March 15 and remains missing.
  • Ouattara's Ambassador, Youssoufou Bamba, appealed to the Security Council to take "rigorous measures" against Gbagbo to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

Statistics:

  • At least 462 people killed in post-election violence in Ivory Coast (Source: United Nations).
  • Nearly a million people displaced in Abidjan (Source: United Nations).
  • 10,000 UN peacekeepers deployed in Ivory Coast (Source: United Nations).
  • One UN peacekeeper abducted on March 15 and remains missing (Source: United Nations).
  • Approximately 462 civilians reported injured in post-election violence (Source: United Nations).

Sources:

  • Voice of America
  • United Nations
  • Gerard Araud, France's UN Ambassador
  • Atul Khare, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping
  • Youssoufou Bamba, Ouattara's UN Ambassador