Ivorian political situation occupies centre stage at 21st meeting of heads of peace missions in West africa
DAKAR, Senegal, May 30, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The heads of United Nations peace missions in West Africa welcomed, on Saturday in Dakar, the conclusion of the post-election crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. They also welcomed the positive evolution of the political situation in the country, marked, in particular, by the inauguration of President Alassane Ouattara in the presence of many personalities, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
At their 21st high-level consultative meeting, the special representatives of the UN Secretary-General for Liberia, Guinea-Bissau and West Africa, and the executive representative of the Secretary-General for Sierra Leone were informed on the new areas of focus in Côte d’Ivoire by the head of the UN operation in that country, Y.J. Choi.
Mr. Choi highlighted the challenges in the areas of security, humanitarian assistance, respect for human rights and national reconciliation, as well as the holding of legislative elections. After his presentation, the heads of mission reiterated the UN’s readiness to help the Ivorian people with a view to achieving lasting peace, a pre-requisite for harmonious economic development.
The heads of peace missions also expressed their strong concern over the impact of the Ivorian crisis on the sub-region, especially Liberia.
According to figures from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 180,000 Ivorian refugees are reported to have crossed the border since the start of the crisis, and they continue to do so. Moreover, the reports refer to the movement of presumed Ivorian combatants on the border and the return of Liberian mercenaries.
In their general assessment of the situation in West Africa, the participants stressed the organization of elections that have been judged credible and transparent in Benin, Cape Verde, Niger and Nigeria. They said the good conduct of these electoral processes attests to the democratic progress in the sub-region.
During their discussions, the heads of mission stressed the security danger that drug trafficking represents for the stability of the sub-region and its consequences for its countries. They insisted on the need to find ways and means to fight this cross-border phenomenon.
SOURCE
Mission of UN in Côte d’Ivoire
