S/PV.7163 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Côte d’Ivoire to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2014/303, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by France, Nigeria, Rwanda and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2153 (2014). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

The United States voted in favour of resolution 2153 (2014) because we fully support the renewal of these sanctions and the mandate of the United Nations Group of Experts, both of which constitute an important part of the Council’s effort to support peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire. We welcome the progress Côte d’Ivoire has made under the leadership of President Ouattara and his Government. We also applaud the Ivorian Government’s achievement of the Kimberley Process Certain Scheme’s minimum requirements, thereby allowing for the lifting of the embargo on the import of rough diamonds originating in Côte d’Ivoire. Despite this progress, however, we note that the security situation in Côte d’Ivoire remains challenging as the country moves into its 2015 electoral cycle. The Council has expressed repeatedly the importance of significant security sector reform, the effective demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, meaningful reconciliation, and equitable justice for crimes committed during the crisis. In the light of the challenges, the United States had advocated a more gradual approach to adjusting the arms embargo. We recognize the Government of Côte d’Ivoire’s need to build capable and professional security forces. We were concerned, however, by the findings in the report of the Group of Experts (S/2014/266) regarding inconsistent compliance with existing arms embargo procedures. We therefore urge Côte d’Ivoire to tighten its control over arms and ammunition and to continue the important work of security sector reform. We urge the Council to closely monitor developments on the ground. If the arms embargo modifications in resolution 2153 (2014) have any negative repercussions on stability in Côte d’Ivoire, then the Council should be prepared to take appropriate action. Côte d’Ivoire is an important partner of the United States. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government and people of Côte d’Ivoire to further the country’s peace, stability and prosperity.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Côte d’Ivoire.

Since my delegation is taking the floor for the first time under your presidency, Madam, I am pleased to offer you our congratulations not only for the assumption by your great country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, of the presidency of Security Council for the month of April, but also for the skill and leadership you have demonstrated in this important function. My delegation welcomes the adoption of resolution 2153 (2014) and takes this opportunity to thank the members of the Security Council for their continued commitment to helping Côte d’Ivoire to restore stability and lasting peace. We note that the resolution just adopted renews the sanctions regime regarding the Côte d’Ivoire for a period of one year, until 30 April 2015. At the same time, however, we see that the relevant provisions have been significantly lightened. Indeed, it is especially important to note that the Security Council expresses its satisfaction in the resolution over the achievement by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire of considerable progress at all levels, particularly in terms of the stabilization of the security situation, the political dialogue and national reconciliation, and economic recovery. More specifically, with regard to diamonds produced in Côte d’Ivoire, the resolution recognizes that Côte d’Ivoire has fully met the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process, to the point where it has been possible to end the embargo. Moreover, the resolution also reiterates the urgent need for the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to train and equip its security forces, especially the police and gendarmerie, with arms and ammunition adequate to the implementation of their security and law enforcement missions. That is why my delegation welcomes and offers the Security Council the gratitude of the Government and people of Côte d’Ivoire for the adoption of resolution 2153 (2014), which officially lifts the embargo on diamonds produced in Côte d’Ivoire, and lifts the embargo on small arms and light weapons and their ammunition with respect to Côte d’Ivoire. In conclusion, my delegation reiterates that the Government of Côte d’Ivoire fully understands that the provisions of the sanctions regime are intended to support efforts to strengthen stability and lasting peace. The Government of Côte d’Ivoire remains committed to cooperating fully with the United Nations and the international community to achieve all the expected reforms to that end, and we hope that at the next consideration of this issue, the Security Council will be able to put a complete end to the sanctions regime concerning Côte d’Ivoire.

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