UNOCI WELCOMES ADOPTION OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS FOR ELECTORAL PROCESS.

Abidjan, 20 February 2008…….. The United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) has welcomed the adoption of the contractual obligations for the implementation of the identification process and the electoral census which it received from the Ivorian Government on Wednesday, 20 February 2008. It is an important breakthrough in the electoral process and new evidence that Ivorians are taking ownership of the whole peace process.

UNOCI appeals to all the Ivorian parties to continue to invest in the implementation of other activities contained in the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, in particular in the Supplementary Agreements, to facilitate the organization of fair, open, free and transparent elections.

UNOCI takes this opportunity to reaffirm its availability to pursue efforts to accelerate the crisis resolution process to the benefit of the Ivorian people.