UN wants arms in I Coast
2010-08-26 22:37
Abidjan - The UN operation in Ivory Coast (ONUCI) on Thursday recommended an exception to the arms embargo on the country to allow weapons for police and gendarmes watching over October elections.
In a report on human rights violations, ONUCI suggested that there be "envisaged an exception to the arms embargo, to allow the Ivorian government to import anti-riot gear" ahead of a presidential poll on October 31.
An international arms embargo has been imposed on the divided west African nation since 2004, two years after a foiled coup against President Laurent Gbagbo left the south in the hands of the army and the north under rebel control.
After demonstrations in February that were violently put down by security forces, the UN mission stressed that the aim of appropriate anti-riot gear was to "avoid resorting to firearms and live ammunition to establish order in the event of civil unrest".
Climate of security
The protests in February led to "13 deaths, of which 11 were due to bullets fired by elements of the Forces of Defence and Security (FDS)," according to ONUCI.
"There is no doubt that political parties had a responsibility in these events," charged the report, which urged "all Ivorian parties to install a climate of security for the elections."
The February demonstrations were organised by the opposition to denounce the dual dissolution of government and of the Independent Electoral Commission by Gbagbo. These institutions were later replaced.
Gbagbo's opponents feared that he was again delaying the electoral process. A presidential poll has been put off six times since his democratic mandate expired in 2005.
The presidential election now planned for October 31 is part of a process aimed at reuniting Ivory Coast, where the former rebels of the New Forces (FN) who control the north have begun to demobilise. Some will become part of the regular security forces.
ONUCI also called on the Ivorian authorities to "adopt and circulate regulations governing the use of firearms by the FDS".
About 8 000 men drawn from both the loyalist army and the FN will be tasked with providing security for the election.
- SAPA
