Security Council Extends Mandate Of UN Mission In Côte D'ivoire For A Month
The Security Council today extended for one month the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission and the French
Licorne forces along Côte d'Ivoire's Zone of Confidence separating Government ruled from rebel-controlled areas.
In a resolution adopted unanimously, the Council also called on the political leadership in the West African country to
persist in the search for a just and lasting solution to the post-conflict stand-off, "particularly through the African
Union mediation led by (South African) President Thabo Mbeki."
When the Council meets to consider a further extension of the mandate of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), it
will have before it a request from Secretary General Kofi Annan to continue the mission until 4 April 2006 on grounds
that "in this highly volatile security context, the capacity of the United Nations force is severely strained with the
addition of new responsibilities" resulting from recent Security Council resolutions and the expected redeployment of
forces.
In his report on Côte d'Ivoire last month Mr. Annan also appealed for greater technical assistance from the
international community to the more than 6,000-strong mission.