S/PV.6193 Security Council

Burkina Faso welcomes the international community’s continued interest in the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire. We would like to express our encouragement and gratitude to various partners, in particular the United Nations for its outstanding role in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and its supplementary agreements. We believe that today’s political, social and economic environment in Côte d’Ivoire is a cause for optimism concerning a definitive resolution of the crisis. The smooth implementation of the identification and registration effort, which was completed on 30 June 2009, the ongoing work on the electoral register with a view to the upcoming publication of the provisional electoral list, and the current pre-campaign electoral atmosphere in the country are all signs of a return to peace. The relevant recommendations emanating from the fifth meeting of the Permanent Consultative Framework and from the seventh meeting of the Evaluation and Monitoring Committee, which were held in Ouagadougou on 18 May and 9 August 2009, respectively, have provided impetus to the implementation of the Political Agreement. Significant progress has been made in numerous areas thanks to the resolve of political stakeholders in Côte d’Ivoire. Efforts are continuing to implement various measures provided for in the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and its supplementary agreements. Adhering to the entirety of the electoral timeline for the holding of the first round of presidential elections on 29 November 2009, as scheduled by Côte d’Ivoire’s political leaders, continues to be the main challenge to the peace process. However, the upcoming publication of the provisional electoral list illustrates that there is still room for hope. The basic goal remains the holding of credible, free, transparent, democratic and indisputable elections that will allow Côte d’Ivoire to overcome the crisis once and for all. To that end, it is crucial to focus on the essential tasks that arise in the run-up to elections. In that regard, there should be special focus on how potential disputes over the provisional electoral list are handled. It is also imperative to provide the Integrated Command Centre with the necessary means to implement the comprehensive programme for elections security. With regard to certifying the electoral process, we welcome the commitment of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire to continuing to fully exercise the mandate conferred upon him by the Security Council. We assure him of the readiness of the facilitation to pursue relations of good cooperation with him in order to ensure the holding of free, open, transparent and democratic elections. However, properly resolving pending military issues, ensuring the re-establishment of State administration throughout the country, and securing financial support for the holding of elections and demobilization efforts are crucial to the success of the elections. The results to date in the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement have been very encouraging. Nevertheless, there are still many complex challenges to be overcome in order to achieve the ultimate goal. However, they are not insurmountable so long as the political will of Ivorian political stakeholders to work towards peace continues. We are therefore convinced that the date of 29 November continues to be viable. The recent official visit to Côte d’Ivoire by President Blaise Compaore, President of Burkina Faso and Facilitator of the inter-Ivorian dialogue, was an opportunity to take note of the determination of Ivorian political actors to hold the elections on the scheduled date. In that regard, the Facilitator foresees the holding of a meeting of the Permanent Consultative Framework in mid-November in order to provide decisive impetus to the electoral process. I take this opportunity to reiterate the gratitude of the Facilitator to the entire international community for its support of the peace process. Respect for the full electoral timeline requires the mobilization of all stakeholders concerned in order to carry out the tasks set out therein within the deadlines established. Burkina Faso calls on the international community, and in particular the Security Council, to pursue its efforts and to support the process to end the crisis to its conclusion. We are prepared to join our efforts with those of the international community and all Ivorian stakeholders in order to succeed together in returning peace to Côte d’Ivoire. In conclusion, I would like to thank the delegation of France for its preparation of the presidential statement, which Burkina Faso fully supports.

Before turning to Côte d’Ivoire, I would like to share with the Security Council France’s outrage following the events in Conakry, Guinea, where members of the military fired on a peaceful crowd, killing and wounding many dozens of people. The situation in that country is especially worrisome. With regard to the situation in Côte d’Ivoire, I would first like to thank you, Madam President, for having organized this ministerial-level meeting. I should also like to thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso for his statement and his decisive efforts alongside President Compaore to facilitate the peace process in that country. The period ahead will be decisive for the proper holding of presidential elections — the date of which, 29 November 2009, was set by Ivorians themselves. Both the people of Côte d’Ivoire and the entire international community look forward to those elections, as underscored in resolution 1880 (2009), which was adopted on 30 July. The statement just read out by the President, along with today’s meeting itself, provide us an opportunity to recall the importance that all of us attach to the holding of the elections in the most democratic and secure manner possible. This is also an opportunity to assure Côte d’Ivoire of the attention, support and mobilization of the entire international community, and of France in particular, to that end. Progress has been made that gives rise to optimism with regard to the desire of the parties in Côte d’Ivoire to close the chapter on the crisis by preparing for the holding of elections. I see at least three reasons for that hope. First, registration operations were concluded on 30 June, while the identification process is under way. Secondly, the period for the submission of candidacies to the Independent Electoral Commission began on 26 August. Many candidacies have already been submitted. Following my visit on the ground, I should like to confirm that there is indeed an atmosphere of election campaigning in the country. Lastly, statements by various political and technical protagonists setting out their determination and commitment to the elections should be commended. I note that President Gbagbo indicated to the General Assembly on 25 September that the process has entered an irreversible phase. The commitments of the various Ivorian actors must now lead to new, decisive progress in the electoral process on the ground within the timeline identified. That will involve, first and foremost, the publication of the provisional electoral list, which was originally scheduled for 29 August but has already been postponed twice, first until mid-September and then to early October. The decrees of 25 August provide for the possible publication of both the provisional and the final electoral lists by 31 October and 15 November, respectively. The delay in the publication of the provisional list would not be a problem in itself if the quality of the list should enable us to save time at later stages. It is worrisome, however, because it constitutes an impediment to the electoral timeline and a risk factor for the entire process. The electoral process must not be slowed down, but move forward resolutely in full respect for procedure. I therefore invite all technical and political actors to spare no effort in publishing a credible, high-quality electoral list as soon as possible and, obviously, without shortcuts that might impute the fairness of the elections. An electoral list accepted by all is essential to the success of the elections. Moreover, providing security for the elections is critical to the successful conduct of a free, transparent and democratic ballot. Although progress has been made recently and the first deployment of mixed units under integrated command has begun, it is important that the Ivorian parties find concrete solutions and make further progress on this issue by 29 November. The presidential elections are indeed the first priority, although we must not lost sight of the main long-term objectives, which are the effective restoration of State authority and the redeployment of the administration throughout the territory of Côte d’Ivoire. Ivorians do not stand alone in their efforts. They can rely on the support of the international community — including, of course, of France — the Secretariat and, in Abidjan, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Choi, to whom we reiterate our gratitude and support. His role in certifying the electoral process is critical to guaranteeing the fairness of the elections. I recall that the Security Council has provided for Mr. Choi’s explicit certification of the electoral list. The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire, under his leadership, is providing strengthened security and logistical assistance to the Ivorian authorities as the elections approach. France also reiterates its support for the facilitator, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, whose role is essential to encouraging the Ivorian parties to transcend existing obstacles. President Compaore’s recent visit to Côte d’Ivoire also reaffirmed the links of friendship between the two countries, which we welcome, and the broad convergence of views regarding the need to advance in the preparations for the elections. France, as always, remains steadfast at Côte d’Ivoire’s side during this key period for the future of the country. The earliest possible convening of incontestable elections is an essential condition for overcoming the crisis and restoring lasting peace and stability in the country and throughout the subregion. The logistical and technical obstacles are numerous. That is no surprise, given the many years of crisis. However, those obstacles will be overcome only through the political resolve of the Ivorian parties themselves. The United Nations is firmly committed to Côte d’Ivoire, but the Security Council cannot indefinitely support the process to end the crisis unless elections are held and the more than 8,000 military and civilian staff are maintained. The presidential election of 2009 will thus be a genuine test of credibility in the eyes of the Security Council and of the international community as a whole. I stress in that regard that Côte d’Ivoire has the capacity to meet these challenges and to turn a very painful page in its history.

There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.