Abidjan, 13 April 2012... Despite the notable progress recorded in Côte d'Ivoire in recent months, the country continues to face important challenges and significant threats, particularly with respect to the overall security situation, according to a report issued on 29 March by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

A long term stabilization of the security situation will require continued support to the Ivorian authorities, including from the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the United Nations country team, the report reads. The Secretary-General recommends that UNOCI adjusts its deployment in order to be more effective and responsive to security threats. He recommends retaining most of UNOCI's troops, whose approved strength is 9792, noting that the Mission intends to reinforce its field presence in an effort to increase its engagement at the local level.

With regard to the situation in Abidjan, the Secretary-General notes that security has improved, mostly as a result of an effective deployment of UN peacekeepers in the city. He therefore recommends that UNOCI's military strength in the commercial capital be reduced by the equivalent of one battalion.

The Secretary-General warns that the hard won peace in the country remains fragile and risks being reversed by a number of security challenges. The current state of the national security agencies, including the Forces republicaines de Cote d'Ivoire (FRCI), is a source of concern, the report notes. The police and gendarmerie lack capacity to effectively ensure law and order, it adds.

With regard to security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, the Secretary-General emphasizes the need for a comprehensive national framework to take this important processes forward.

The Secretary-General also remains concerned about the situation in the border area with Liberia. He recommends that the United Nations in both countries enhance their support to the respective authorities to stabilize the border area, while calling on bilateral and other partners to help develop the capacity of Ivorian and Liberian authorities to better control their borders.

While commending the successful conduct of the legislative elections, the Secretary-General calls on the Government to continue to reach out to the opposition through serious dialogue. He reiterates that reconciliation must go hand in hand with justice and urges the Government to ensure that investigations into violations of human rights and international humanitarian law are independent and impartial.