Assembly/AU/3 (X)
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Council, on 16 July 2007, adopted resolution 1765 (2007) endorsing the
recommendations of the United Nations Secretary General on the need to align the
role of UNOCI with the new phase of the peace process, as defined by the
Ouagadougou Political Agreement. That resolution put an end to the mandate of the
High Representative for Elections and decided, as a result, that the Special
Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Côte d’Ivoire would certify
that all the stages of the electoral process would provide all the guarantees required
for the holding of open, free, fair and transparent presidential and parliamentary
elections in accordance with international standards. Moreover, the Security Council
declared that it welcomed the creation of an International Consultative Organ (ICO)
as agreed by the signatory parties and the Facilitator, to accompany the Ivorian
political forces and the Facilitator in the implementation of Agreement. The African
Union is a member of this body. Again, at the Donors’ Round Table organized by the
Ivorian Government on 18 July 2007, the pledges amounting to over 180 billion CFA
Francs were made towards funding the crisis exit process.
81.
However, delays occurred in the calendar for implementing the Ouagadougou
Political Agreement; first, as a result of the disturbances occasioned by the end of
June 2007 attack against the Prime Minister in Bouaké; and then, owing to a number
of technical issues which had not been taken into account at the time the Agreement
was signed. To speed up implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement,
President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Soro concluded, in Ouagadougou on 28
November 2007, the Second and Third Additional Agreements to the Ouagadougou
Political Agreement, both in respect of definitive selection of a technical operator to
produce Ivorian identity cards as well as voters’ cards, and also work out a new
election calendar. This calendar was supposed to conclude with the organization of
presidential election not later than the first half of 2008 in accordance with a calendar
to be recommended to Government by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
82.
At its 104th Meeting held on 20 December 2007, the PSC noted, with
satisfaction, the encouraging developments in Côte d’Ivoire since the singing of the
Ouagadougou Agreement and the progress achieved in its implementation. It also
called upon the parties to redouble their efforts to fast track the implementation
process. On this score, Council welcomed the conclusion of the Second and Third
Additional Agreements which it endorsed. In light of the PSC Decision, the United
Nations Security Council, by resolution 1795 (2008) of 15 January 2008, also
approved the Additional Agreements and called on the parties to fully honour their
commitments, in good faith, in accordance with the new calendar established to this
effect. Meanwhile, the third meeting of the Direct Dialogue Evaluation and
Accompaniment Committee held in Ouagadougou on 14 January 2008 underscored
the need to consolidate implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement and
appealed to the parties to strengthen measures aimed at ensuring safety and security
of the peace process.
l)
Western Sahara
83.
The main highlight of the period under review was the launching of direct
negotiations between the parties to the dispute on Western Sahara, namely, Morocco
and the Frente POLISARIO, as mandated by UN Security Council resolution 1754
(2007) of April 2007. The two parties met twice in Manhasset, New York: first, on 18
and 19 June, and then on 10 and 11 August 2007. The talks did not result in any