Annan concerned about split in Côte d'Ivoire's reconciliation government

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said the recent announcements by Côte d'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo suspending support of opposition ministers and by the opposition Forces Nouvelles that they would move their staff in Abidjan to their stronghold Bouaké in the north were a disturbing turn of events.

"The Secretary-General wishes to reiterate his appeals to all Ivorian parties to stop mutual recriminations, to implement faithfully their commitments under the (2003) Linas-Marcoussis Agreement and to immediately resume political dialogue, with a view to ensuring the effective functioning of the Government of National Reconciliation," he said through spokesman Fred Eckhard.

Mr. Annan also urged both sides to avoid any actions that might bring on further violence and confrontations with tragic consequences for the people of Côte d'Ivoire and West Africa.

All parties in the country should cooperate with the Monitoring Committee, established under the Linas-Marcoussis peace agreement, and with Mr. Annan's Special Representative, Albert Tévoédjré, so as to re-establish dialogue and resolve outstanding issues, Mr. Eckhard said.

President Gbagbo's move followed the UN Security Council's condemnation of human rights violations in Côte d'Ivoire, especially those that occurred during deadly confrontations between civilians and government forces at banned opposition demonstrations in late March.