Kingsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
The UN Security Council has voted to extend an arms embargo on the West Africa nation, Ivory Coast, and a ban on the export of rough diamonds for another year as well as travel and financial sanctions on individuals violating human rights and blocking peace. The country is preparing to go to elections.
The resolution, which was unanimously adopted on Thursday by the council, emphasized the contribution of the sanctions towards the nation’s stability, especially as Ivorians prepare for presidential elections.
Ivory Coast's U.N. Ambassador Ilahiri Djedje said he was disappointment that the council decided not to lift sanctions against individuals following willingness of all parties to take part in the presidential elections, which the government had expected.
"There is no reason why individual sanctions should be maintained," he said. "The resolution adopted today is not tailored to assist Ivorians in their process of reconciliation."
The council adopted the resolution two days after a panel of U.N. experts accused the government and former rebels of repeatedly violating the arms embargo.
The Security Council extended the work of the expert panel, along with sanctions, until October 31, 2010.
A failed 2002 military coup degenerated into a civil splitting the country into a rebel-controlled north and government-controlled south. A Burkina Faso-brokered peace deal in March 2007 paved way for a unity government.
Ivorian authorities say presidential elections slated for 29 November are unlikely to hold.
The UN Security Council has voted to extend an arms embargo on the West Africa nation, Ivory Coast, and a ban on the export of rough diamonds for another year as well as travel and financial sanctions on individuals violating human rights and blocking peace. The country is preparing to go to elections.
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