PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Introduction The political impasse in Côte d’Ivoire persists with both Mr Laurent Gbagbo and Mr Allasane Ouattara maintaining their claim to legitimacy as elected presidents of the country Mr Gbagbo continues to function as the President of Côte d’Ivoire while Mr Ouattara is isolated in the Golf Hotel Mr Gbagbo controls the civil service and the security forces while Mr Ouattara enjoys the support of the rebel Forces Nouvelles and the bulk of the international community

Background Mr.Ouattara declared the winner by the IEC Constitutional Council annulled results from some constituencies and then invalidated the IEC decision Constitutional Council pronounced Mr Gbagbo as President. Both MessrsGbagbo and Ouattara sworn in as President and appointed Prime Ministers and Cabinets, respectively International community rejects Mr Gbagbo’s claim to the Presidency The UN, ECOWAS, the AU recognise Mr Ouattara as President- elect 3

Background cont. On 23 December 2010, the Central Bank of West African States recognised Mr Ouattara as president and said that only people authorised by him would be allowed to access the state account. The decision was meant to starve Mr Gbagbo of funds to pay civil servants and the military. On 22 January 2011, West African leaders asked Ouattara to nominate a new head for the West African Central Bank after Governor Philippe Henri Dacoury -Tabley resigned. 4

Background cont. Mr Gbagbo continues to control the civil service and the security forces, the national broadcaster, energy sector, and the import/export infrastructure Mr Gbagbo demands the immediate withdrawal of UNOCI and the French forces 5

Security Situation The current situation has deteriorated significantly with clashes becoming increasingly confrontational – approximately 250 killed. UNSC approved an increase of 2000 peacekeepers by adopting UNSC Resolution 1967 on 19 January

Legal Perspectives The elections were held in terms of the Constitution and within the framework of international Agreements These Agreements provided for the role of the Independent Electoral Commission and the role of the United Nations The Constitutional Council annulled the votes from seven disputed districts and pronounced Mr Gbagbo the winner. 7

ECOWAS Position At Summit of 7 December 2010, ECOWAS endorsed the results certified by the SRSG The Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS recognised Mr Ouattara as President-elect of Cote d’Ivoire The Summit called on Mr Gbagbo to abide by the results of the second round of Presidential elections On 3 January 2011, a delegation of the AU and ECOWAS undertook a Mission to Côte d’Ivoire to seek a peaceful resolution of the political crisis 8

ECOWAS Position cont. ECOWAS also resolved to keep open the military option The ECOWAS Mission reiterated the positions of the Extra- ordinary Summits of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and the AU Peace and Security Council on the Ivorian crisis In response, Mr Gbagbo agreed to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis without any pre-conditions On his part, Mr Ouattara indicated his willingness to ensure a dignified exit for Mr Gbagbo provided the latter accepted the outcome of the presidential election 9

ECOWAS Position cont. The ECOWAS delegation was accompanied by the Prime Minister of Kenya, representing the AU It should be pointed out that Angola is in support of Mr Gbagbo –Angola has publicly stated that it views ECOWAS’s decision as being premature 10

ECOWAS Position cont. ECOMOG held a meeting on 18 January 2011 in Bamako. According to the statement made by a Nigerian high-ranking officer after the ECOMOG meeting in Bamako, ECOMOG have finalised a military plan in case the military option is required. He said that “We are ready for action,” meaning that the military option is still in the agenda of the ECOWAS forces. 11

AU Position The AU in its statement of 4 December 2010 endorsed the position of ECOWAS and the pronouncement of the Chairperson of the Commission and the UNSC The AU called for the outcome of the elections to be respected. The AU had nominated the Prime Minister of Kenya, Mr R Odinga, to engage with the Ivorian leaders in order to resolve the political impasse, based on stated ECOWAS and AU positions 12

AU Position cont. Mr Odinga participated in the visit to Côte d’Ivoire on 3 January 2011 as discussed above Mr. Odinga again visited Côte d’Ivoire on 17 and 18 January 2011 and afterwards stated that efforts to reach a settlement had failed. Mr Odinga visited South Africa and held discussions with President Zuma on Thursday, 20 January

The United Nations Security Council UNSC In terms of Resolution 1962 (2010) of 20 December 2010, the United Nations Security Council accepted the outcome of the second round of Presidential elections as certified by the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations (SRSG), and as endorsed by ECOWAS and the AU Given the questions asked about the validity and methodology of the certification process by the SR of the UNSG, Mr Choi had made a statement to the UNSC in which he explained the process that flowed from the Pretoria Agreement of

The United Nations Security Council UNSC cont. UNSC has approved an increase of 2000 peacekeepers by adopting UNSC Resolution 1967 on 19 January

South Africa’s position Determining the legality of the successive events remains critical – principles of the rule of law; good governance; and respect for the will of the people important The South African Government issued a media statement on 8 December 2010 which urges President Laurent Gbagbo to respect and abide by the declarations issued by ECOWAS, the AU and the UNSC with regard to the second round of elections in Cote d’Ivoire The South African Government called for restraint and further urged the Ivorian leaders to promote national reconciliation and unity 16

During a press conference on 5 January 2011, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said we are very much interested in finding a peaceful resolution of the problem 17

South Africa’s position cot. At the moment Ecowas, supported by the AU, are of the view that we should give diplomacy a chance to resolve the problems. South Africa supports that kind of approach to the problem Continue to engage ECOWAS leadership with view to opening space for a peaceful resolution South Africa does not support military intervention in Cote d’ Ivoire Current impasse can only be resolved through concerted political and diplomatic efforts 18

THANK YOU 19