Security Council calls on Ivoirian parties to respect peace accord

Expressing deep concern at the humanitarian and economic consequences of the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire for the whole West African region, members of the United Nations Security Council today called again on all Ivoirian political forces to immediately implement the peace agreement signed and adopted last month in France.

In a press statement, the current President of the 15-member body, Ambassador Gunter Pleuger of Germany, said Council members encouraged the newly appointed Ivoirian Prime Minister to continue his efforts towards the establishment of a balanced and stable government.

Ambassador Pleuger also said the Council had been briefed on the results of the first two meetings of the committee tasked with monitoring the implementation of the French-brokered Linas-Marcoussis Agreement. Council members expressed their satisfaction that the committee has been promptly established and is now fully operational, and called for cooperation from all Ivoirian parties, he said.

"They expressed the wish to be kept informed, in accordance with the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement, of any failure by any of the parties to implement its obligations under the agreement," Ambassador Pleuger said.

Earlier in the month, the Council unanimously endorsed the Linas-Morcoussis Agreement, adopting a resolution reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Côte d'Ivoire. That resolution 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.

Today, Council members again called on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law for the entire population, regardless of its origin. "They invited donors to provide assistance to meet these challenges," added the Council President.

"Members of the Security Council expressed once again their full support for the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) forces and French forces supporting them," said Ambassador Pleuger. They also called on States to provide appropriate financial and logistical support to the ECOWAS forces.