Security Council extends mandate of UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire

25 June 2015 - The Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) for another year, until 30 June 2016, as well as the authorization it provides to the French Forces in order to support the mission.

The resolution unanimously adopted this morning maintains the mission's focus on the protection of civilians, political support and on the implementation of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme.

It also addresses the remaining security threats and border-related challenges, the reconstitution and reform of security institutions, and the monitoring of the arms embargo. Support for compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law, were also addressed.

For Côte d'Ivoire, the 2015 October presidential election represents an important milestone in the consolidation of the hard-won gains of recent years, said recently the Special Representative and Head of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Aïchatou Mindaoudou, who encouraged the Security Council to renew the Mission's mandate.

Later in the day, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, welcomed the signed commitment of 47 commanders from the Forces Républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI) to fight against sexual violence and ensure respect for international human rights and humanitarian law.

"I applaud the signing…and take this as another concrete step by Côte d'Ivoire in consolidating the gains achieved since the end of the conflict," the Special Representative said.

"The chain of command must be fully engaged to work in ending the involvement of their soldiers in sexual violence crimes. I urge these commanders to follow through on these commitments, which will not only prevent future incidents but allow justice for past victims of sexual violence."