RAPAPORT… The United Nations mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) continues to monitor efforts underway as the nation plans its presidential election. The long-awaited polls have been postponed numerous times since 2005, with the dissolution of the country’s government sparking political chaos and street protests. There are a still number of tasks remaining before Cote d’Ivoire can resume its election plans, according to Hamadoun Toure, a spokesperson for UNOCI.
Toure said that the first task was to resume the appeals process on voter registration.
“The achievement of this operation will lead to the second crucial stage, which is the production of the definitive electoral list,” he noted. This step will be followed by the production and distribution of identity and voters’ cards.
The presidential polls are expected to end years of instability created by the civil war that divided the country into a rebel-held north and a government-controlled south in 2002. Rough diamond exports are currently banned from Cote d’Ivoire and only after a free and fair presidential election is held will the UN Security Council (UNSC) review its diamond ban on the country.
LH