Côte d'Ivoire: Security Council calls on all parties to adhere to peace agreements

Deeply concerned that incidents such as a recent public demonstration could hamper the overall peace process and endanger the lives of innocent people in Côte d'Ivoire, the members of the United Nations Security Council today called on all Ivoirian parties to measure up to their responsibilities under the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra peace agreements.

The President of the Council, Ambassador Mamady Traoré of Guinea, said in a press statement that Council members called on the Ivoirian authorities to ensure that such incidents as the 26 March demonstrations organized by the "Jeunes Patriotes" do not recur. "They stress that these incidents could potentially inflame passion, hamper the peace process and endanger the lives of innocent people," he said.

Ambassador Traoré said Council members also reaffirmed their support for the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) and French forces in their effort to further the implementation the recent French-brokered peace accord.

"Members of the Security Council condemn the recruitment of mercenaries by any of the parties," the Council President added. He said they also stressed that neighbouring States should work to prevent the supply of mercenaries who further destabilize Côte d'Ivoire.

Council members requested that a thorough investigation be conducted of the human rights violations that took place in Côte d'Ivoire - particularly the massacres, Ambassador Traoré said.

"Members of the Council reiterate their support to Prime Minister Diarra, his new Government, the Follow-up Committee and the Special Representative of the Secretary General," he said.