Upcoming Ivorian election must be transparent and inclusive – UN envoy

The United Nations envoy to Côte d’Ivoire today appealed to all actors to do their best to ensure that the upcoming legislative elections are as transparent and inclusive as possible.

“Today, in this country, there is an elected president. What we now need is a freely elected parliament with various political views resulting from the legislative elections,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bert Koenders.

Mr. Koenders, who is also head of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), made the comments following his meeting today with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara in the commercial capital, Abidjan.

The 11 December elections were among a number of issues discussed in the meeting, the first between the two men since the Special Representative arrived in Abidjan last month. They also focused on rebuilding the economy and security in the West African nation.

“I came to listen to President Ouattara in order to know what he is expecting of UNOCI in the coming months, and together we discussed the mission’s mandate, as well as the importance that the UN Secretary-General and members of the Security Council attach to the positive developments in the country,” said Mr. Koenders.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Guillaume Soro last week, Mr. Koenders pledged that the UN will provide the country with the support it requires to ensure that the legislative elections are held successfully and in a peaceful atmosphere. This support will involve human resources, equipment, logistics, and security.

Next month’s polls will be the first to be held since the end of the post-electoral crisis that followed last year’s presidential election.

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