S/PV.7957 Security Council

On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I condemn in the strongest terms the reprehensible terrorist attack perpetrated in Kabul on innocent civilians of Afghanistan and of many other nations. The members of the Security Council extend their deepest sympathy to the families of the victims who lost their lives, and solidarity to the people and Government of Afghanistan. Please stand for a moment of silence in honour of the victims. Expression of thanks to the outgoing President

As this is the first public meeting of the Security Council for the month of June, I should like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Security Council, to pay tribute to His Excellency Mr. Elbio Rosselli, Permanent Representative of Uruguay, for his service as President of the Council for the month of May. I am sure I speak for all members of the Security Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Rosselli and his delegation for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council’s business last month. Congratulatory remarks to the newly elected members

I should also like to take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru and Poland on their election as non-permanent members of the Security Council. We look forward with interest to their contribution to the work of the Council starting in 2018. Adoption of the agenda

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Côte d’Ivoire to participate in this meeting. 2/17 In February, I told the Council that the security situation was generally stable despite the recurring movements of soldiers in January and February. Since my last briefing to the Council, similar movements took place on 12 and 14 May, when a faction of the Bouaké- based armed forces, mostly former members of the Forces nouvelles de Côte d’Ivoire, claimed payment for its participation in the resolution of the 2010-2011 post-election crisis. Those disruptions have spread to several parts of the country, causing the death of one person and injuring more than 20. On 22 and 23 May, demobilized ex-combatants of the Forces nouvelles, previously considered to be allies to the army, erected barricades and demonstrated in Bouaké and other parts of the country, calling for financial compensation from the Government. Three ex-combatants were killed during the confrontation with the police. Those two movements totally paralysed economic activities, particularly in Bouaké. During the incidents of 12 and 14 May, a large cache of weapons was discovered, thereby reviving, both internally and externally, a certain psychosis of armed violence. In February, I felt that the soldiers’ movements did not threaten the institutions or stability of the country and did not wish to resort to violence because the claims put forth by the soldiers were merely financial. That assessment remains unchanged. However, things have changed somewhat since the incidents that occurred in May. This time, the soldiers attacked civilians and certain political symbols. The recurrence of military movements confirms the residual challenges that remain to be met before we can consolidate the achievements of peacekeeping in Côte d’Ivoire. Those challenges were identified and documented in the special report of the Secretary-General of March 2016 (S/2016/297), which recommended the closure of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), and in the Secretary-General’s February report on Côte d’Ivoire (S/2017/89). It is urgent that the Government, with the support of its partners, improve discipline within the armed forces and implement the reforms provided for by the 2016-2020 Military Planning Law. It is also imperative to ensure the full integration of ex-combatants into society. These incidents highlight, on the one hand, the threats posed by impunity within the armed forces and, on the other, the imperative of ending impunity for human rights violations committed during the postshould like to highlight three essential lessons that I consider important to share. The first lesson I would like to address is the most important. A peacekeeping operation can achieve its objectives and withdraw from a country only in a context in which the Government is a determined partner deeply committed to assuming its responsibilities to the people it serves. No peacekeeping mission can substitute for national political will and national efforts to resolve the problems that led to the conflict. There is no doubt that much remains to be done in order to meet all the remaining challenges, but Côte d’Ivoire has demonstrated its resolve to assume the responsibilities necessary for the country to return to its former position as the torchbearer of West Africa for peace, stability and economic prosperity. The second lesson relates to the leadership of the Council. I would point to the risks that the Council was able to take that led to the success of UNOCI, starting with the strong political mandate bestowed upon my predecessors and myself and supported by the trust of the Security Council. In addition, the Council has been very supportive of inter-mission cooperation, allowing us to maximize the strategic and operational interdependence of neighbouring peacekeeping missions. The rapid reaction force established within UNOCI, with the potential to intervene in Liberia in support of mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, is certainly one of the most progressive inter-agency cooperation initiatives in the history of United Nations peacekeeping. Where necessary, the Council has also been proactive in adjusting the successive mandates of UNOCI, based on regular assessments conducted by the Secretariat, in order to prevent the mission from bogging down. The third and final lesson that I draw from UNOCI’s experience is that a United Nations peacekeeping mission is much more likely to succeed in a context where there is a coalition of international partners working to achieve the same goal of peace, essentially in a policy framework with enhanced and concerted accountability measures. The foundation of UNOCI’s success is based on many pillars: African Union mediation, the Economic Community of West African States deployment of peacekeeping troops that later become peacekeepers, advocacy by women members of the civil society organizations of the Mano River Union, the parallel deployment of French forces and the commitment of bilateral and multilateral partners. 4/17 This meeting is rendered even more historic as it follows the brilliant election in the General Assembly, this morning, of Côte d’Ivoire as a Security Council member for the biennium 2018-2019. Through its Minister for Foreign Affairs, I would like to warmly congratulate Côte d’Ivoire on its election. Its experience in peacekeeping will provide the Council a unique perspective to help us more effectively tackle the challenges of the world. We welcome the opportunity to work alongside Côte d’Ivoire over the next two years in our pursuit of international peace and security. The upcoming departure of UNOCI is a turning point for Côte d’Ivoire, as it is for peacekeeping. We must take this opportunity to review the past, evaluate the present and prepare for the future. First, we must assess our accomplishments in Côte d’Ivoire and draw lessons from them. In 28 days, UNOCI will close after more than 13 years of existence. At the height of the 2010-2011 crisis it consisted of approximately 11,000 uniformed personnel. I pay a special tribute to all UNOCI personnel — soldiers, policemen and civilians — who, over the years, have devoted themselves to the pursuit of peace and security in Côte d’Ivoire. I honour the memory of the 150 men and women who lost their lives in the course of that mission. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. UNOCI stood by the country through a complex trajectory, marked by the acute crisis from 2004 to 2011, but also accompanied by the hope of renewal and the successful recovery starting in 2011. We must draw useful peacekeeping lessons from such a resounding success. Several factors have helped over the years. First of all, the Council gave UNOCI a clear and flexible mandate which was adapted to on developments on the ground. Difficulties were met with a strengthened mandate and personnel increases. When the crisis abated, the Council transitioned UNOCI to best enable long-term stability. The Council also developed new tools adapted to the needs on the ground, such as the rapid reaction force. Secondly, since its inception, UNOCI also participated in the political process which, pitfalls notwithstanding, provided it a clear road map, including an electoral timetable. The unity of the Council also provided UNOCI with the necessary support in order for it to carry out its mandate. Thirdly, UNOCI has always enjoyed the united support of the international community. The United with regard to the crimes committed during the post-election crisis. Only fair and equitable justice, which judges violations regardless of who are their perpetrators, will be able to consolidate and sustain the stabilization of the country. Progress in this area, nationally as well as in cooperation with the International Criminal Court, will be decisive for the purpose of lasting reconciliation. The closure of UNOCI does not mean, however, that the country will be left alone to face the challenges that persist. As many other States do, Côte d’Ivoire will continue to benefit from the support of the United Nations through several channels. The agencies, funds and programmes operating on its territory assembled within the country team will continue to help with the country’s recovery. Identifying the priority areas within the action plan signed with the Government in 2016 is particularly useful in this regard. We call on international donors to support the country team in this undertaking. The United Nations will also continue to support Côte d’Ivoire as will its neighbours through the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, whose mandate covers the entire subregion. Côte d’Ivoire should also be able to count on the constant commitment of its bilateral and multilateral partners in all fields. Thanks to the strong links between our two countries in all areas, France is committed to Côte d’Ivoire. We will continue to support the country in its economic and social development, as well as in capacity-building, particularly in security and defence, through bilateral cooperation. We will also continue to support the deep and constant engagement of the European Union with Côte d’Ivoire. When the conditions are right, the best legacy a peacekeeping operation can leave behind is to pass the torch to the host country in order to anchor longterm stability. This is the meaning of our meeting today on Côte d’Ivoire. We are very happy about this for Côte d’Ivoire, for the Security Council and for the United Nations.

I align myself with the words of the President in condemning the terrorist attacks in Kabul. In so doing, I wish to reiterate the condolences of Senegal to the families of the victims and to the people and the Government of Afghanistan. 6/17 We must be sure to consolidate and entrench the gains made in the stabilizing Côte d’Ivoire. To that end, alongside the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, the United Nations country team, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the United Nations and all bilateral and multilateral partners must remain watchful and continue supporting Côte d’Ivoire in its efforts to make peace permanent. In this regard, the delegation of Senegal welcomes the United Nations country team’s effort to draft a $50-million joint peacebuilding programme following the departure of UNOCI. I cannot conclude without paying well-deserved tribute to the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. Aïchatou Mindaoudou. Obviously, the commitment of my country has been constant, in particular through the rapid intervention force and the aviation unit that we deployed within UNOCI, and through the ceasefire agreement of 17 October 2002 between the mutineers and the loyalists mediated by Senegal. In conclusion, I would like to invite the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, to continue following the situation in Côte d’Ivoire as part of his regional mandate.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mindaoudou for her comprehensive briefing. I would also like to welcome His Excellency Mr. Marcel Amon-Tanoh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire, to the Council. It is a pleasure to have him in the Chamber for this final briefing on the successful completion of the 14-year mission of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI). Please allow me to commend Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mindaoudou and all UNOCI staff, past and present, including those who lost their lives, for their dedication to supporting a better future for Côte d’Ivoire. The country has made great progress in consolidating its economic and security gains. The result of the Security Council election this morning symbolizes and affirms these achievements. The 14 years of activity of UNOCI offer a rich storehouse of lessons on peacekeeping. While the magnitude and complexity of issues may differ, the Council should continue to apply lessons from Côte political forces in the country and their ability settle differences through peaceful means. Clearly, there is trend towards stability following the 2010 and 2011 electoral crises. In this regard, we note the contribution made by the Government, which took unprecedented measures to organize a political dialogue with the opposition. We hope that the authorities will continue to make serious efforts to increase the representation of women in governing bodies. The Constitution’s provisions on land, citizenship and national identity are promising and give us hope for a final elimination of the root causes of the conflict. We are confident that Yamoussoukro will soon overcome the challenges posed by outbreaks of social tension. We take note of the agreements reached between the country’s authorities and ex-combatants who are integrated into the armed forces, which enabled them to quell the protests. In this regard, we urge the Ivorians to concentrate their efforts on addressing priority tasks, such as security sector reform; the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants programme; and the return of refugees from Liberia to the country. In addition, the processes of national reconciliation and of eliminating the dividing lines in society, including those related to victor’s justice, must continue. We must bear in mind that, in the West African region, terrorist groups have strengthened and we have been seeing occasional appearances of their emissaries in the north of the country, on the border with Mali. Côte d’Ivoire is also becoming a victim of terrorist attacks. In this regard, we urge Yamoussoukro to continue to place priority on the issues of security and illegal arms trafficking. We greatly value Côte d’Ivoire’s position on regional stability. We welcome sending the Ivorian military into the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. We hope that Côte d’Ivoire will also continue to be accountable and approach logistical issues responsibly. We cannot overstate its role there. We note that the transfer of the remaining tasks from UNOCI to the United Nations country teams has been carried out in an orderly manner. We are happy that the withdrawal of the mission is in accordance with the time frame. In conclusion, we, once again, encourage our Ivorian partners to fully cooperate with the Council. 8/17 to United Nations peacekeeping missions, and it has recently sent a contingent to Mali. To move from a nation benefitting from a peacekeeping mission to one that now contributes to peacekeeping is yet another marker of success. There can be no let up. There are tests ahead for Côte d’Ivoire. The 2015 presidential elections were peaceful, but of course UNOCI was present. The presidential elections in 2020 and a smooth democratic transfer of power to a new president will be crucial to building a peaceful and prosperous future for Côte d’Ivoire. This needs continued efforts to build the independence, credibility and authority of the electoral commission over the next two years. The credibility and legitimacy of the institutions of Government must continue to strengthen. As the recent unrest in the country illustrates, peace can be fragile if underlying issues are not resolved. I therefore encourage the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to make the most of this opportunity that it and the United Nations have worked so hard for. In conclusion, the story of Côte d’Ivoire is a positive one, with the end of a successful mission and an optimistic future for the country and its people. It is also a positive story for the United Nations and specifically for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. UNOCI shows how clear mandates with a clear exit strategy can create the space needed for the political process to progress. It is a model that we should seek to emulate elsewhere across the world. I am delighted that the experience is something that Côte d’Ivoire will be able to share on a daily basis with the Council when it joins in 2018. I congratulate the country on its election earlier today.

I should like to begin my statement by wishing you, Sir, and your team every success in your duties as your country presides over the Security Council during the month of June. I also sincerely thank Council members for commending us on our recently concluded presidency. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General,Ms. Aïchatou Mindaoudou, for her comprehensive briefing, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Marcel Amon-Tanoh, for being here today. Last year, during China’s presidency of the Security Council (see S/PV.7681), the Council adopted resolution 2284 (2016), on the drawdown of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), and resolution 2283 (2016), on the comprehensive lifting of sanctions against Côte d’Ivoire (see S/PV.7681). That fully reflected the affirmation of the Council and of the international community that there had been considerable improvement in the situation in Côte d’Ivoire. Since 2004, UNOCI has played an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the country. China commends the contribution of UNOCI and the positive efforts of Special Representative Mindaoudou since she assumed office. Following the closure of UNOCI, China hopes that the international community will continue to strengthen cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire with a view to helping the country achieve sustained peace, stability and development. United Nations peacekeeping operations are an important means of maintaining international peace and security. UNOCI’s successful experience is worth studying with a view to drawing lessons from it. Based on developments in the situation on the ground, China believes that the United Nations peacekeeping operation should make timely adjustments to its scale ahead of its final drawdown and closure. Meanwhile, it is imperative to fully respect the will of the host country and enhance coordination with countries in the region, as well as regional and subregional organizations. Nine out of the sixteen United Nations peacekeeping missions are located in Africa. Peace and stability in Africa matter greatly to international peace and security. China has consistently supported Africa in resolving African issues through African means, as well as regional and subregional organizations, such as the African Union, in playing an active role in resolving local issues. China stands ready to work with the international community to provide ownership and capacity-building assistance to Africa so as to make greater contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Mindaoudou, for her briefing. We commend the progress made in preparing for the closure of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI). I take this opportunity to thank Ms. Mindaoudou for her efforts and to congratulate 10/17 and protecting human rights — are in our view an important sign of that commitment. In that respect, I offer Côte d’Ivoire the full support of Italy in order to obtain these goals. In recent months, we have on occasion wondered about the tools available to us to make peacekeeping operations more effective. The lesson to be drawn from the case of Côte d’Ivoire is that the leadership and unity of the Security Council, which the Council has demonstrated at considerable cost, are prerequisites to ensuring the success of peacekeeping operations, together with the commitment of the host country to do everything possible to pursue the goals of peace and stability. I am convinced that the direct experience that Côte d’Ivoire will be able to offer in terms of understanding the pluses and minuses of United Nations peacekeeping activities will add important value to its membership of the Security Council. Today is Republic Day in Italy. I am happy that this day, which is a day of celebration for us, is also one on which Côte d’Ivoire has reached an important turning point in its history.

At the outset, allow me to welcome His Excellency, Mr. Marcel Amon-Tanoh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. I congratulate him on the well-deserved election of his country as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period 2018-2019 earlier today, which is of obvious significance. Today, Côte d’Ivoire is turning the page and moving past its crisis once and for all. Côte d’Ivoire, a brotherly country, will, through its membership in the Council, once again play a deserved role in the international arena as a representative of the African continent and a defender of its people’s interests. In that regard, I would like to assure the Minister that Egypt will continue to promote its ongoing cooperation and coordination with Côte d’Ivoire and provide the necessary support to the country as it fulfils its role. Allow me also to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Aïchatou Mindaoudou, for her valuable briefing and appreciated efforts, and the civilian and military personnel of United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) for their hard work. They have played a pivotal role in leading to the current watershed moment. The Council celebrates this turning point as the peacekeeping mission ends I would also like to thank His Excellency, Mr. Marcel Amon-Tanoh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. I take this opportunity to extend our warmest congraulations to him on the election of Côte d’Ivoire as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period of 2018-2019. I look forward to working closely with his country in the Council. The closure of UNOCI marks a significant milestone, both for Côte d’Ivoire and for the United Nations. Over the past 13 years, UNOCI has worked to promote the rule of law, national reconciliation, security sector reform, the protection of civilians and human rights in Côte d’Ivoire, thereby contributing to the restoration of peace and stability in the country. We hope that the experience of UNOCI will provide useful lessons for similar missions in the future. Without a doubt, the progress made over the past 13 years would not have been possible without the active participation of the people and Government of Côte d’Ivoire. The leadership and commitment of the Government to undertake necessary reform should be commended. We are confident that the efforts of the Government aimed at fostering greater unity and national reconciliation will continue. Without a doubt, the need for greater unity and national reconciliation have been made self-evident by recent developments. The country certainly needs the continued support of the international community as it strives to sustain peace and consolidate the political and economic gains made in recent years. Therefore, the sustained engagement of the United Nations country team remains very important. We are encouraged to note that the handing over of commitment from UNOCI to the country team took place in line with the plan established for the transition. Let me conclude by paying tribute to the entire ONOCI team, including the military and civilian personnel, for their dedication and service.

At the outset, let me congratulate you, Mr. President, and your team on assuming the presidency. We wish you great success in your work. I also wish to thank our friends from Uruguay for their exemplary work last month. (spoke in English) Let me begin by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Mindaoudou, for her 12/17 It is important that Côte d’Ivoire’s partners provide ongoing support to the Government’s efforts to sustain peace and safeguard the investments already made in a sustainable future. The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States have played a key role in achieving a successful outcome to the Ivorian peace process. Going forward, regional actors will continue to have an essential role to play. Thirdly, regarding the transition from UNOCI to the United Nations country team, we welcome the robust transition plan developed by the United Nations and agreed with the Government at the end of last year, but we note that the closing of UNOCI means that the United Nations presence in the country will face a financial cliff, which jeopardizes the sustainability of the gains achieved. We believe that the United Nations can do even better in ensuring that transitions in general are transformative and forward-looking processes. More systematic and integrated work across the United Nations system is needed sooner. We have a joint responsibility to ensure that United Nations country teams have that capability. In conclusion, I would like to join the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in commending the Government and the people of Côte d’Ivoire for their resilience and their efforts to restore peace and stability to their country, with the support of the international community. The closure of the UNOCI mission underlines the remarkable journey the country has made since 2004. The international community must now continue to support the Government and the people of Côte d’Ivoire as they work to build a peaceful, equitable and prosperous country for all Ivorians.

I too want to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Aïchatou Mindaoudou for her comprehensive briefing. Since this is the last briefing on the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) in this Chamber, I would like to take this opportunity to convey our sincere appreciation to the mission’s leadership and personnel for their contribution. Ukraine prides itself on playing an active role in UNOCI. On 30 June, the UNOCI mandate will end on a high note, signifying the successful completion of the United Nations peacekeeping phase in Côte d’Ivoire. Many efforts and resources have been invested in the stabilization of the country. As we can see today, they have produced encouraging results. The prospects rights, security sector reform and humanitarian assistance. Côte d’Ivoire is a success story and a model of how peacekeeping can benefit a country if its Government is committed to overcoming conflict and restoring peace. We look forward to seeing the Government of Côte d’Ivoire maintain that positive momentum and cement the peace and security that has taken root with the support of the international community. Despite significant progress on key reforms, recent events have shown that challenges remain. The January and May mutinies in the armed forces over pay grievances resulted in the disruption of commerce, the closure of schools and increased civilian insecurity. The mutinies and accompanying protests also led to scores of injuries and several fatalities in confrontations with authorities. We urge the Government to work transparently, inclusively and without delay to accelerate and deepen efforts to reform the security sector, including by shaping a clear structure and purpose for the military based on the threats Côte d’Ivoire faces. Finally, as we approach the end of UNOCI, we know that smart planning between a mission in transition, the Government, other international partners and a United Nations country team has been essential during the handover of mission tasks. In Côte d’Ivoire, a high level of cooperation in planning for the future led to the smooth transition happening today. We encourage the United Nations to institutionalize lessons learned and apply them to other missions in transition, such as those in Liberia and Haiti. We also encourage other countries hosting peacekeeping missions to recognize the importance of strong cooperation between the Government and the United Nations without impediments to movement and access in performing the missions’ mandated tasks. Once again, we congratulate all who worked together to bring peace and stability to Côte d’Ivoire over these past years.

I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council and wish you a successful term. Our delegation also welcomes His Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire to the Chamber and congratulates his country on its election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. We are looking forward to working with his delegation and wish his country every success. 14/17 Amon-Tanoh, for his presence. It is indeed a privilege for us to have him in the Security Council Chamber this afternoon. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire and Head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), Ms. Aïchatou Mindaoudou, for the updated information she has just presented as well as for her excellent leadership. We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all her predecessors and the civilian and military personnel of UNOCI for their commitment to peace and stability in Côte d’Ivoire. We are grateful for and acknowledge their work done over the years as well as UNOCI’s contribution in terms of lessons learned, which are an important contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions. We commend the countries, regional and multilateral organizations, including the African Union and the United Nations Office for West Africa, the United Nations agencies and country teams, and all those countries that contributed military and police contingents that assisted day after day in bringing peace to this kindred country. Without the cooperation and work of these organizations, the objectives of UNOCI would have been difficult to achieve. Proof of this is the certification of the 2010 election results by the African Union, at the request of Côte d’Ivoire, and the peace agreements signed through that organization. Bolivia hails the people and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and encourages their efforts towards national dialogue, peacebuilding, political reconciliation, disarmament and the reintegration of ex-combatants into society. The international community must continue its work of cooperation, paving the way for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Côte d’Ivoire with full respect for its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We commend the country for its economic growth, which has been remarkable. We acknowledge the efforts of the President, the Government and the people of Côte d’Ivoire in succesfully consolidating a stable political environment with three elections that have taken place peacefully and for the progress they have made in the process of reforming the security sector and in rebuilding the military. We are encouraged to learn that the stakeholders believe that the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire is irreversible. We see success in the peace process as in the course of our mandate in the Security Council, provide an example for other countries to follow. The meetings I have had with all the States Members of the United Nations over the past few months, and especially the past three weeks, have enabled us to share their expectations. We are confirmed in our decision to work within the Security Council in order to come up with coherent collective responses to the global challenges of our time through dialogue and mutual respect. I thank everyone for the kind words expressed to my country and for the welcome that was extended to us on our candidacy and thus our election to the Council. Allow me, in turn, to express to the Council and all the other States Members of our Organization the gratitude of the President, the Government and the nation of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. Time will certainly allow us to further clarify the elements that have led to the success of UNOCI. For the time being, we can rightly stress that the success of UNOCI arises from the convergence of several factors, including the political will and high sense of responsibility of the President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, which have put the State and its resources at the service of peace in its country. It is also due to the exceptional synergy between UNOCI and the Government and to the unity and resolve of the Security Council and the international community, which have facilitated the implementation of the Council’s resolutions in all confidence. I would also cite the strong human relations between the President of the Republic and the various Secretaries-General of the United Nations, the good relations established between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Government, and the high quality of the Special Representatives appointed by the various Secretaries-General to Côte d’Ivoire. In that regard, I pay special and well-deserved tribute to Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou for her outstanding contribution to peace in my country and to the success of UNOCI. UNOCI leaves behind a stable and peaceful country endowed with strong and modern institutions, and whose economic dynamism, despite the difficult context of the cocoa market, allows the Government to make significant progress every day in fighting poverty and creating opportunities for its young people. Nonetheless, we are aware of the challenges ahead in the process of establishing stability and peace in our country once and for all. These include completing 16/17 have lost their lives so that the values of peace, unity, conviviality and democracy might triumph in our country. These women and men, torn from the bosoms of their families, and who will miss out on the work of perfecting our nation, forbid us forever to allow new tragedies to visit our country. 17-15735