Bissau, 26 August 2008...... The 14th meeting of the chiefs of peacekeeping missions in West Africa on Tuesday welcomed the significant progress made in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (OPA).

During their two-day meeting in Bissau, the heads of mission also noted the determination of Ivorian political leaders to hold elections as scheduled. However, they also expressed their concerns over the delays in the electoral process, due essentially to logistical challenges. In this regard, the heads of mission encouraged all the parties concerned to take the measures needed to ensure that identification and registration start as soon as possible.

At a press conference held at the end of the meeting, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cote d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi said that there was a light at the end of the tunnel with regard to the Ivorian electoral process. He added that the Ivorian military forces and the Impartial Forces had taken the necessary measures to ensure that the elections are held under the best possible conditions.

Meanwhile, the meeting noted the advances made in the consolidation of peace and the restoration of stability in the sub-region particularly through UN peacekeeping missions. However, participants did remark on the persistent insecurity and democratic deficit in most of the 16 countries in the sub-region.

The 14th meeting of heads of peacekeeping missions in West Africa, which was hosted by the chief of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea Bissau (UNOGBIS), Shola Omoregie, was also attended by the Special Representatives of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Ellen Margrethe Løj and the UN Office in West Africa (UNOWA), Said Djinnit.

The chiefs of mission also met with the President of Guinea Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieira and Prime Minister, Carlos Correia.

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas was the special guest at the meeting. The 15th meeting is scheduled to be held on 5 December 2008 in Monrovia, Liberia.