In Côte d’Ivoire, UN representative for elections is pleased with first mission

Despite many difficulties, the current momentum in Côte d’Ivoire is positive as it gears up for October elections, the United Nations High Representative for the elections, Antonio Monteiro, said as he wrapped up his first visit to the West African country emerging from conflict.

During his 11-day mission, he met with all the principal individuals and institutions involved in the peace process, especially the leaders who signed the 2003 Linas-Marcoussis peace agreement, which ended two years of fierce civil war. He also discussed the situation with representatives of the international community, UNOCI said.

All expressed a wish to see the political crisis resolved through fair and transparent elections and those involved with the elections welcomed his recommendations for quickly establishing an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), it said.

Mr. Monteiro left for New York late last week, but was scheduled to return to Côte d’Ivoire very soon to assist with the elections scheduled for late October.

The civil war broke out in 2002 when rebels seeking to oust President Laurent Gbagbo seized the north, dividing the world's largest cocoa producer in two. Last year the Security Council set up UNOCI, which, along with French Licorne forces, maintains a ceasefire between Government forces and the major rebel group, Forces Nouvelles.