UN CONDEMNS ATTACK THAT KILLED SEVEN PEACEKEEPERS IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

UN CONDEMNS ATTACK THAT KILLED SEVEN PEACEKEEPERS IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE
New York, Jun 8 2012 6:10PM
The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire, Bert Koenders, has strongly condemned a deadly ambush carried out today in the western part of the country which claimed the lives of seven 'blue helmets.'

The seven peacekeepers from Niger were part of a patrol that was on a mission south of the locality of Tai, according to a news release issued by the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).

This is a zone where UNOCI recently strengthened its presence due to threats of attacks against the civilian population.

"UNOCI will take all the required measures following this severe violation of international law," the mission said.

UNOCI was established in 2004 by the Security Council to facilitate the peace process in the country, which was split by civil war in 2002 into a rebel-held north and Government-controlled south.

The mission, whose current mandate runs until 31 July, is currently tasked with assisting the country tackle the many challenges it faces in the wake of the violence that followed presidential elections in late 2010 and the electoral crisis that finally ended in April 2011. These include the restoration of law and order, national reconciliation, the holding of legislative elections, and economic recovery.
Jun 8 2012 6:10PM
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