Côte d'Ivoire / UNOCI chief meets President Compaore

By Mission of UN in Côte d'Ivoire

ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire, November 17, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Bert Koenders, on Thursday, 17 November 2011, met Burkinabé President Blaise Compaoré, Facilitator of the Inter-Ivorian Dialogue, to introduce himself and discuss the Ivorian peace process.

Their discussion was dominated by the electoral process, especially preparations for legislative elections on 11 December 2011. The chief of UNOCI highlighted the political, security, logistical and technical challenges that needed to be overcome in order to organise successful elections, which he hoped would be inclusive.

Mr. Koenders reaffirmed UNOCI's availability to continue its support to ensure that the elections are held under the best possible conditions. He told the press that he had benefitted from President Compaoré experience with regard to the implementation of his mandate as the head of UNOCI.

Asked about the eventual transfer of former President Laurent Gbagbo to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr. Koenders said he had not discussed this issue with the Facilitator.

This was the Special Representative's first meeting with the Facilitator since he took up his post in Abidjan on 24 October 2011.