Côte d’Ivoire: Security Council condemns attempts to overthrow Government

Members of the United Nations Security Council today strongly condemned the attempt to overthrow the democratically elected Government of Côte d’Ivoire, stressing their full backing for the country’s legitimate authorities.

In a statement to the press, the Council President, Martin Belinga-Eboutou of Cameroon, said the members called on all parties to resolve the current crisis peacefully and to abstain from any actions that might jeopardize the search for a negotiated solution. “They called on the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and other parties to recognize that only through a political solution can the crisis be solved,” he said.

The parties were also called on to ensure respect for human rights and to bring to justice all those responsible for any violations.

On the urgent humanitarian situation, Council members called on the international community to support the upcoming UN flash appeal by providing aid to needy populations in all countries affected by the Ivorian crisis.

Commending efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict, Council members called on the international community to provide the necessary assistance required for the immediate deployment of a regional force agreed on earlier this month.

The President added that Council members “have expressed their appreciation for the efforts made by France to prevent, upon request of the legitimate authorities of Côte d’Ivoire, further fighting in the country, on a provisional basis” pending the deployment of the regional force.