EU imposes additional sanctions against Côte d'Ivoire

EU imposes additional sanctions against Côte d'Ivoire

2011-04-06 23:22:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European union on Wednesday imposed additional sanctions against Côte d'Ivoire due to the gravity of the situation in the African country.

The Council of the European Union adopted a new legislation today to impose additional restrictive measures including a ban on the provision of loans to the illegitimate government of Laurent Gbagbo.

The sanctions also included a restriction to the purchase of bonds and securities from Gbagbo as well as providing for exemptions to ensure that funds needed for humanitarian purposes are available.

In compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1975, the EU added an additional individual to the list of persons who are subject to a visa ban and an assets freeze.

The list, headed by former President Gbagbo, include Ivorian officials deemed to be obstructing peace and reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire, obstructing the work of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and committing serious human rights violations.

Gabgbo and his loyalists seem to be in the verge of defeat as on Tuesday, UN peacekeepers and forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara stepped up their offensive to force the ex-leader out of power.

Ouattara is the internationally recognized President of Côte d’Ivoire after he defeated Gbagbo in the November 2010 presidential run-off, which was certified and monitored by the UN.

The post-electoral crisis has resulted in the deaths of at least 500 people and the displacement of up to 1 million, many of whom have fled to neighboring countries. There have also been reports of massacres and other forms of brutality and human rights violations against civilians amid the turmoil.

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