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UN Security Council Temporarily Deploys Infantry Company to Ivory Coast

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to temporarily deploy a 200-strong infantry company from Liberia to bolster the UN peacekeeping force in Ivory Coast, in a move that falls short of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's request. The redeployment is a temporary measure to provide extra security for UN staff and property, and other assistance, until March 31. French diplomats expect a subsequent resolution to add more troops and police ahead of expected elections in Ivory Coast by October.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Security Council voted unanimously to redeploy a 200-strong infantry company from Liberia to Ivory Coast, a much smaller addition than Secretary-General Kofi Annan's requested battalion of 1,000 troops.
  • The redeployment was temporarily authorized until March 31 to provide extra security for UN staff and property, and other assistance.
  • French diplomats expect a subsequent resolution to add more troops and police ahead of expected elections in Ivory Coast by October.
  • The UN has about 6,000 troops and 4,000 French soldiers deployed in Ivory Coast, most along a vast east-west buffer zone that separates the government-controlled south and rebel-held north.
  • Violence erupted in Ivory Coast last month after a U.N.-backed international mediation group recommended that the expired mandate of Ivory Coast's parliament not be renewed.
  • The UN Security Council on Jan. 19 demanded the immediate end to what it called orchestrated violence primarily aimed at UN peacekeeping troops and warned that sanctions would be imposed against people blocking the peace process.
  • Secretary-General Annan called the situation in Ivory Coast "critical" and appealed to all parties to work together to calm the situation, restore peace and promote national reconciliation.

Statistics:

  • 200: The number of soldiers in the infantry company to be redeployed from Liberia to Ivory Coast.
  • 1,000: The number of troops requested by Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a battalion deployment.
  • 2002: The year a failed coup attempt sparked a civil war in Ivory Coast.
  • 6,000: The number of UN troops deployed in Ivory Coast.
  • 4,000: The number of French soldiers deployed in Ivory Coast.
  • March 31: The temporary redeployment deadline for the 200-strong infantry company.
  • October: The expected date of elections in Ivory Coast.

Sources:

  • "U.N. Security Council Backs Plan to Send 200 Peacekeeping Troops to Ivory Coast," Dow Jones Commodities News Select via Comtex, February 6, 2006.

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