Security Council calls on all Ivoirian parties to fully implement peace accord

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Côte d'Ivoire, the United Nations Security Council today called on all Ivoirian political forces to fully implement, without delay, the peace agreement signed and adopted last month in France.

Unanimously adopting the new resolution, the Council endorsed the Linas-Morcoussis Agreement, noting provisions for the formation of a "government of national reconciliation" and therefore called on all Ivoirian political forces to work with the President and Prime Minister towards the establishment of a balanced and stable regime.

The Council also condemned all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that have taken place in Côte d'Ivoire since 19 September 2002 and stressed the need to bring those responsible to justice. The Council urged all the parties, including the Government, to take all necessary steps to prevent further violations of human rights, in particular against civilians, regardless of their origin.

The Council also welcomed the deployment of forces of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and French troops to contribute to a peaceful solution of the crisis and the implementation of the Agreement in Côte d'Ivoire.

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council authorized Member States participating in ECOWAS forces, together with the French forces supporting them, to guarantee security and freedom of movement of personnel and to ensure protection of civilians immediately threatened with physical violence.

After six months, according to the text, the Council will assess the situation on the basis of the periodic reports, which it requested from ECOWAS forces and France on all aspects of the implementation of their respective mandates.

The resolution also asked the Secretary-General to submit to the Council his recommendations on how the United Nations could support the implementation of the Agreement, in accordance with the request by the Round Table of Ivoirian political forces and by the Conference of the Heads of State that was held in Paris. The Council declared its readiness to take appropriate measures on the basis of those recommendations and welcomed the Secretary-General's intention to appoint a Special Representative for Côte d'Ivoire, based in Abidjan, requesting him to do so as soon as possible.