Un Security Council Renews Sanctions On Ivory Coast Until 2013

UN Security Council renews sanctions on Ivory Coast until 2013 2012-04-27 19:19:35 GMT+7 (ICT) NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday decided to reduce but extend sanctions against the African nation of Côte d'Ivoire, which is internationally known as Ivory Coast, for at least another year.In a unanimously adopted resolution, the UNSC decided that the measures on arms and related material, which were first imposed in 2004, shall no longer apply to the provision of training, advice and expertise related to security and military activities, as well as to the supplies of civilian vehicles to the Ivorian security forces.In addition, the resolution detailed that the arms embargo shall not apply to supplies of or use by the peacekeeping mission there, the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), and the French forces who support them, or to non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, among other purposes.With the decision, the sanctions were extended until at least April 30, 2013. The sanctions also include the ban on the export of rough diamonds, or 'blood diamonds,' that have fueled conflict in the region, and targeted measures on a number of individuals, including former president Laurent Gbagbo.Furthermore, the Council also extended the mandate of the Group of Experts it set up to monitor the arms embargo, and reiterated the need for the Ivorian authorities to provide unhindered access to the group so it can carry out its work. The sanctions were reduced in light of the need for weapons and ammunition to train and equip the country's security forces.After the 2002 civil war that split the country into a rebel-held north and a Government-controlled south, the Council first imposed the embargo in 2004. Last year it imposed targeted financial and travel measures against Gbagbo and his associates after his refusal to leave office following his election defeat to current President Alassane Ouattara.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-04-27