Ban calls on parties in Côte d'Ivoire to resolve difficulties and hold elections

Voicing grave concern at the political situation in Côte d'Ivoire after last week’s dissolution of the Government and the independent electoral authority, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all sides to keep up momentum for the much-delayed elections in the divided West African country.

Originally scheduled for as far back as 2005, the elections have been continually postponed, most recently from 29 November last year to next month, and Mr. Ban urged the parties to preserve the achievements made so far, including the provisional electoral list, and to quickly establish the definitive list.

Côte d’Ivoire became split by civil war in 2002 into a rebel-held north and Government-controlled south by civil war.

“The Secretary-General urges the Ivorian people to remain calm and the Ivorian political actors, authorities and the media to refrain from any action and rhetoric that could result in more violence,” a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesman said, stressing that deadly clashes today in Gagnoa are a reminder of the volatility of the situation.

“He calls on the Ivorian parties to resolve the current political stalemate through dialogue, within the framework of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement,” it added, referring to a 2007 blueprint for political reconciliation forged in the capital of neighbouring Burkina Faso.

He appealed to all sides to find a rapid solution to the difficulties facing the Ivorian peace process, including the issues of the formation of the new Government and electoral commission, and said his Special Representative for Côte d’Ivoire Y. J. Choi would continue to help the Ivorian parties in the search for a solution.