UN Working Towards Progress in Ivory Coast
Recent democratic elections in the Ivory Coast elected Alassane Outtara as the nation’s new president. Yet despite validation by the Electoral Commission in this free and fair election, incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo has refused to relinquish the presidency. This intense political situation has led to violence against supporters of both candidates, as well as the UN peacekeeping force in the Ivory Coast (UNOCI), who have been protecting civilians.
On January 3, 2011, leaders of the West African regional bloc known as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met with Laurent Gbagbo for the second time trying to persuade him to step down from presidency. ECOWAS has stated that it could use legitimate force to remove Gbagbo from office, but continues to work for a peaceful resolution. 
The international community has also joined ECOWAS in their efforts. Concerned about the ongoing violence in the Ivory Coast against civilians and UN peacekeepers, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed to Mr. Gbagbo that violation of human rights and attacks against UN peacekeepers would violate international law.
The European Union and the United States have imposed travel restrictions on Mr. Gbagbo and his close allies, and on behalf of the UN Security Council, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice has issued strong statements against the ongoing attacks against civilians and UN officers in the Ivory Coast.
In addition, the World Bank has frozen Gbagbo’s finances and assets in an effort to weaken his hold in the country. The UN Under-Secretary General of Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy stressed that UNOCI (UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire) will continues to carry out its mission and mandate ensuring the protection of civilians “whoever they are, whatever their political affiliation or ethnic group” -- and before the close of 2010, the UN Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to peace by extending its peacekeeping mission in the Ivory Coast.
Learn more about UN Peacekeeping in Côte d'Ivoire - visit our page on The UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire.
