Nearly two years on from the signing of a peace accord widely deemed the last, best chance for Cote d’Ivoire, “factors of instability” continue to threaten peace efforts, according to the UN.
The UN Security Council on 15 January voted unanimously to keep the UN mission (UNOCI) and international (French) forces in Cote d’Ivoire until 30 July 2008, to support the organisation of “free, open, fair and transparent elections”.
VALG I JUNI AMBITIØST
In a 2 January report on progress in Cote d’Ivoire, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called current plans by Ivorian leaders to hold elections by June 2008 “very ambitious”
He said such a timeline requires parties to the conflict and international partners to redouble their efforts.
Noting that the UN will not organise the elections but will assume a supporting role, the Secretary-General said:
– Progress thus depends on the will and determination of the Ivorian leaders.
TIDLIGERE FORSØG MISLYKKET
Following the 2002 rebellion that split Cote d’Ivoire in two, Ivorian and international leaders have said that successful elections are indispensable for a return to peace.
But political leaders have pledged to hold elections and failed several times as numerous peace deals have collapsed.
Kilde: www.irinnews.org
