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United Nations

UN Security Council Urges Recognition of Alassane Ouattara as President of Ivory Coast

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United Nations Security Council has called on all parties in Ivory Coast to accept opposition leader Alassane Ouattara as president, amid a tense stand-off between Ouattara and incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo. The Council also extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force for six months, amid fears that the disputed election could reignite civil war in the world's largest cocoa producer. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the EU is preparing to impose a travel ban on Gbagbo and his allies, while the US is also considering sanctions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Security Council has urged all parties in Ivory Coast to recognize opposition leader Alassane Ouattara as president.
  • The Council extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force for six months, amid concerns over the deteriorating situation.
  • Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo ordered the 10,000-strong UN peacekeeping force to leave the country, after the UN declared him the loser of November's disputed election.
  • The EU is preparing to impose a travel ban on Gbagbo, his wife, and 17 other close associates, which will come into effect by Wednesday.
  • US President Barack Obama's administration is also preparing to impose sanctions on Gbagbo and his allies.
  • The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has reported that over 50 people have been killed in recent days, and hundreds have been snatched from their homes by people in military uniforms.
  • The Security Council has warned those responsible for attacks against peacekeepers and civilians that they will be held accountable under international law.

Statistics:

  • Over 50 people have been killed in recent days, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.
  • The UN peacekeeping force has approximately 10,000 troops from various countries.
  • The EU has agreed to impose a travel ban on Gbagbo, his wife, and 17 other close associates, starting from Wednesday.
  • The UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the peacekeeping force for six months.
  • The dispute has been ongoing since November 28, when the runoff election was held.

Sources:

  • UN Security Council resolution (text not provided).
  • EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton's spokeswoman (text not provided).
  • US White House spokesman Robert Gibbs' statement (text not provided).
  • UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay's statement (text not provided).
  • Head of UN Peacekeeping Alain Le Roy's statement (text not provided).
  • The Africa Paper (text not provided).

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