Annan names former leader of Côte d'Ivoire as UN envoy for Cameroon elections

The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has dispatched a former Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, Seydou Diarra, to Cameroon as his Special Envoy for the country's upcoming elections.

According to a UN spokesman, Mr. Diarra "will convey the Secretary-General's personal and the United Nations' continued support for Cameroon's efforts towards democratization and appeal to all political parties to carry out the elections in a smooth and transparent manner."

Mr. Diarra, who will stay in Cameroon until 25 June, will also invite political parties and other national stakeholders to address the country's complex problems peacefully, spokesman Fred Eckhard added.

Last month, Cameroonian President Paul Biya requested that the Secretary-General send UN observers to monitor the legislative and municipal elections scheduled for 23 June. Mr. Annan then proposed dispatching a Special Envoy, in order to avoid a total political absence of the UN during the crucial ballot in a country where he has strongly encouraged peaceful political means to resolve differences, according to the spokesman's office.