UNOCI – The Security Council extends the mandate by six months
Fraternité matin (pro-LMP) - Ban Ki-moon has decided to cross swords with Laurent Gbagbo. On Saturday, the UN Secretary-General rejected the ultimatum issued by the Ivorian head of state who demanded the immediate withdrawal of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), whose mandate expires on 31 December and subsequently, the French Force Licorne. What did it do wrong?: "severe improprieties which undoubtedly make it an agent of destabilization" of the republican institutions. It thus came as no surprise when the UN Security Council unanimously adopted, yesterday, Monday, a resolution envisaging the deployment of more troops to Côte d'Ivoire and stepping up the pressure on Laurent Gbagbo by threatening sanctions on those who compromise the electoral process. The Security Council envisages to "authorize the Secretary-General [of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon] to redeploy further troops, as may be needed (...) on a temporary basis", the resolution stresses. The Council calls on troop-contributing countries "to support the efforts of the Secretary-General in this regard", the document states further. The Council "reaffirms its readiness to impose measures, including targeted sanctions, against persons who, among other things, threaten the peace process and national reconciliation, including by seeking to undermine the outcome of the electoral process". Sanctions could also be imposed against those who "obstruct the work of UNOCI and other international actors and commit serious violations of human rights", adds the resolution. The Security Council also renewed the mandate of UNOCI for six months to 30 June 2011. For the moment, UNOCI will keep its troop strength at 8,650 persons, including 7,200 Blue Helmets and 1,250 police, the resolution stresses. It also urges all Ivorian parties to respect the will of the people and the result of the election.


Security Council press statement on Côte d'Ivoire
Le Patriote(RDR)- The text of the press statement issued today by the President of the Security Council for December, Mrs Susan Rice (United States), on Côte d'Ivoire. Following an exposé by the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy, and debates held in consultations:

The members of the Security Council, after the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 1962 (2010), remain deeply concerned about the continued violence in Côte d'Ivoire, including armed attacks against the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and multiple civilian fatalities, many more wounded and even more being displaced across Côte d'Ivoire.
The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms acts of violence against UNOCI and recall its resolution 1502 (2003) on protection of United Nations personnel, associated personnel and humanitarian personnel in conflict zones. The members of the Security Council warn all those responsible for attacks against peacekeepers and civilians that they will be held accountable and will be brought to justice, in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law.
The members of the Security Council urge all Ivorians to exercise maximum restraint, remain calm, resist provocative actions, refrain from violence and work together to restore sustainable peace. The members of the Security Council reiterate their support for the constructive role of the Secretary-General in Côte d'Ivoire and stress that UNOCI, under the leadership of his Special Representative, continues to fulfil impartially its existing mandate. The members of the Security Council welcome the efforts by the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and regional countries to help preserve peace and stability in Côte d'Ivoire. The members of the council recall their last statement on Côte d'Ivoire, dated 8 December, and urge all parties to respect the will of the people and the results of the election.

Choi responds to the accusations: UNOCI has been and will remain impartial in all areas »
Le Patriote (RDR)- UNOCI will continue to do its work despite the hindrances and obstructions, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, said on Monday in Côte d'Ivoire during a press conference on the mandate of the Mission. «When you are going through hell, you keep going», he added, quoting Winston Churchill, to stress that one should never give up if faced with difficulties when you are working for a noble cause like peace. After expressing regret over the current crisis resulting from the deterioration in the post-electoral situation, Mr. Choi highlighted the inaccurate interpretation by both parties of UNOCI's role regarding the organisation of marches by the Rassemblement des Houphouetistes pour la démocratie et la Paix (RHDP). « One party believes wrongly that UNOCI had deliberately refused to provide it with military support. The other camp also wrongly claims that UNOCI had secretly provided military support to the opposing camp," explained the head of Mission, who insisted that "UNOCI has been and will remain impartial in all aspects, including militarily". To this end, the Special Representative also revealed that assurances were given to President Gbagbo's camp with regard to the Mission's impartiality concerning the marches. «UNOCI will remain impartial and no armed UNOCI element will leave Golf Hotel with the marchers, » Mr. Choi reiterated. "However, despite my assurances, President Gbagbo's camp suddenly started a negative press campaign against UNOCI on 15 December at 1p.m, » he said. According to the Chief of UNOCI, the deliberate misinformation regarding UNOCI's position was the start of a concerted anti-UNOCI campaign which continues to date.

The UN states its credibility
Le Patriote(RDR)- « It cannot be denied. The presence of UNOCI in Côte d'Ivoire has allowed for major progress, especially the holding of the presidential election and the preventing of a resumption of hostilities in our country. However, with the reappearance of the death squads and the militias, who sow death in Abidjan and hinterland towns, under the unending curfew imposed by the former regime, the UN force needs to become more involved in the protection of populations who pay a heavy tribute to the abuses committed by the FPI's soldiers. To be honest, dissatisfaction and desolation are mounting in Côte d'Ivoire. Citizens do not understand that despite the presence of 10,000 UN soldiers in our country, killings continue every night, to such an extent that more than 200 deaths have been tallied since Thursday's march for the liberation of the RTI. It is true that, through its declarations, communiqués and resolutions, the UN has enabled a relative stability to be maintained. However, for some days now, the camp of the loser of the presidential poll has been organizing summary executions in the southern part of Côte d'Ivoire. Even if its present mandate does not allow it to act as a buffer force, UNOCI must not remain impassible in the face of the massive killings committed under the curfew. Its 10,000 soldiers must provide security for the population. It's true that the situation is not yet tragic. However, it is important for the organization led by Ban Ki-Moon to take a little more initiative. Iits reputation and credibility are at stake.

United States : Robert Gibbs (Barack Obama's Spokesman) : It's time for Gbagbo to leave
Le Patriote (RDR)- « The White House called on Laurent Gbagbo, on Monday, to give up the Ivorian presidency and said i twas ready to impose sanctions on him and his family, reiterating that in the eyes of the United States, Alassane Ouattara was the legitimate winner of the 28 Novemmmber election. The election was clear, its result was clear, and it's time for him [Gbagbo] to leave, President Obama's spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said at his daily press conference.

Are EU sanctions more dangerous than the UN's ?
L'Intelligent d'Abidjan (Pro-FPI)- In the presidential camp, the first reactions consisted of minimizing the European Union's sanctions, namely visa prohibitions and the freezing of assets. Interviewed by RFI, the Minister of the Interior dismissed the issue while denouncing the blackmail and bad faith of the western countries. With the European Union, for now 27 countries and the banks based there are concerned by the move. If the UN Security Council imposes the same measures, those sanctions will be banned from travelling to almost all countries in the world. But, giving the example of Charles Blé Goudé, who is in the pink of health despite UN sanctions, Laurent Gbagbo's supporters say sanctions from New York will not frighten those who wish to defend their country's sovereignty.

European Union Sanctions, Charles Blé Goudé (Minister of Youth) : « The UE is tiring itself for nothing »
Soir Info (Tendance RFI)- At a « mobilisation » meeting at the Inch Allah Square in Koumassi [an Abidjan neighbourhood] on Monday 20 décembre 2010, the President of the Patriotic Galaxy and Minister of Youth and Employment in the Ake N'Gbo government, Charles Blé Goudé, said he was not surprised by the European Union's decision to sanction Laurent Gbagbo (declared president by the Constitutional Court). « I am going to show them what the final assault is. Christmas will not pass without their hearing from me," he said. He dismissed the accusations by the Representative of UNOCI denouncing "hostile acts by the Gbagbo camp". "No-one has attacked UNOCI as yet," he said, asking the youths to prepare to wage the final combat.

From the Golf Hotel – Bédié breaks his silence – His call to Gbagbo and the FDS
L'Inter (Independent)- « Since the second round of the presidential election, held on 28 November 2010, which saw the democratic election of Mr. Alassane Ouattara, our country faces a severe crisis for the sole reason that Mr. Laurent Gbagbo has confiscated State power. In such a situation, where the future of the country and that of our children are at stake, I would like, in the name of peace and of the right to life of every citizen of Côte d'Ivoire, to address all those responsible for this political impasse and urge them to exercise reason [...] In doing so, I would like, first and foremost, to reaffirm my total support for the new president of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Alassane Ouattara, recognized by the entire world. Next, I call on Ivorians to remain mobilized so that the election of Mr. Alassane Ouattara, recognized by the entire world, is respected and no-one can scorn the will of the people and confiscate state power. I would like to recall, having myself occupied the functions of President of the Republic, that I took a back seat in 1999 following the coup d'état, then in 2000, when I was banned from being a candidate. Then, in November last, when it appeared that I was in third position at the end of the first round of the election, I took note of the verdict of the ballot box in the interest of peace in my country. I thus launch a solemn and urgent appeal to my brother Laurent Gbagbo, to adopte a similar attitude as a worthy son of Africa by recognizing the victory of Mr. Alassane Ouattara. History will reward him for it (...)."