United Nations Security Council Resolution 1975
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1975, adopted unanimously on March 30, 2011, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire
(Ivory Coast), including resolutions 1572
(2004), 1893
(2009), 1911
(2010), 1924
(2010), 1933
(2010), 1942
(2010), 1946
(2010), 1951
(2010), 1962
(2010), 1967
(2011) and 1968
(2011), the Council demanded that Laurent Gbagbo
step down as President (allowing internationally-recognised President Alassane Ouattara
to take power) and imposed sanctions on him and his close associates.
The resolution was sponsored by France
and Nigeria
.
resolution to the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire. It commended the efforts of the African Union
and Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) to resolve the crisis, and reaffirmed the international recognition given to Alassane Ouattara as President of Côte d'Ivoire.
There was concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country and its possible relapse into a civil war
. The Council condemned all provocative actions and violations of human rights
and international humanitarian law
by any party and called for restraint and the peaceful resolution of their differences. All such violations had to be investigated and those responsible be brought to justice, with the Council considering that attacks on civilians could constitute a crime against humanity
.
, the Council urged all Ivorian parties to respect the will of the people and the election of Alassane Ouattara as President of Côte d'Ivoire, as recognised by ECOWAS, the African Union and the rest of the international community
. It also demanded an immediate end to violence against civilians. Furthermore, the Ivorian parties were urged to pursue the political solution offered by the African Union, and Laurent Gbagbo was criticised for not accepting the solution and urged to step down.
The resolution condemned attacks by defence forces, militia
s and mercenaries
against United Nations peacekeepers
, and urged Laurent Gbagbo's forces and supporters to fully co-operate with the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire
(UNOCI). Furthermore, attacks against civilians were strongly condemned and the Council reiterated that UNOCI could use "all necessary measures" in its mandate
to protect civilians under imminent threat of attack.
All Ivorian parties were urged to co-operate with UNOCI and supporting French
forces as part of Operation Unicorn, by guaranteeing their safety and freedom of movement
of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as co-operating with an independent inquiry put in place by the United Nations Human Rights Council
. Ivorian state media
, including Radiodiffusion Television Ivoirienne
, was condemned for inciting violence and restrictions on freedom of expression were urged to be lifted.
There was concern at the increase in the number of refugee
s and internally displaced person
s, particularly in Liberia, and demands that Laurent Gbagbo lift the siege against the hotel where Alassane Ouattara was blockaded and protected by UNOCI troops.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1975, adopted unanimously on March 30, 2011, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
(Ivory Coast), including resolutions 1572
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1572
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1572, adopted unanimously on November 15, 2004, after recalling Resolution 1528 on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire , the Council imposed an arms embargo on the country following recent violence and threatened further sanctions if Ivorian parties did not...
(2004), 1893
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1893
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1893 was unanimously adopted on 29 October 2009.- Resolution :Noting with concern continuing human rights violations against civilians in Côte d'Ivoire, including numerous acts of sexual violence, the Security Council this morning renewed for another year...
(2009), 1911
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1911
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1911, adopted unanimously on January 28, 2010, after reaffirming resolutions 1880 and 1893 , and reiterating its determination to bring about a credible election process in Côte d'Ivoire, the Council approved a four month extension of the United Nations...
(2010), 1924
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1924
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1924, adopted unanimously on May 27, 2010, after reaffirming resolutions 1893 and 1911 on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire and Resolution 1885 on Liberia, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire until June 30,...
(2010), 1933
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1933
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1933, adopted unanimously on June 30, 2010, after reaffirming resolutions 1893 , 1911 and 1924 on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire and Resolution 1885 on the situation in Liberia, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Côte...
(2010), 1942
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1942
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1942, adopted unanimously on September 29, 2010, after recalling Resolution 1933 on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire , the Council increased the military and police contingents of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire .The Security Council recalled...
(2010), 1946
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1946
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1946, adopted unanimously on October 15, 2010, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire , including resolutions 1880 , 1893 , 1911 and 1933 , the Council extended sanctions against the country, including an arms embargo and...
(2010), 1951
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1951
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1951, adopted unanimously on November 24, 2010, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire and the subregion, the Council authorised a temporary re-deployment of support from the United Nations Mission in Liberia to the United...
(2010), 1962
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1962
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1962, adopted unanimously on December 20, 2010, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire , including resolutions 1893 , 1911 , 1924 , 1933 , 1942 , 1946 and 1951 , the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations...
(2010), 1967
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1967
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1967, adopted unanimously on January 19, 2011, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire , including resolutions 1933 , 1942 , 1946 , 1951 and 1962 , the Council increased the number of forces in the United Nations Operation...
(2011) and 1968
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1968
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1968, adopted unanimously on February 16, 2011, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire , including resolutions 1933 , 1942 , 1946 , 1951 , 1962 and 1967 , the Council extended the deployment of troops from the United...
(2011), the Council demanded that Laurent Gbagbo
Laurent Gbagbo
Laurent Koudou Gbagbo served as the fourth President of Côte d'Ivoire from 2000 until his arrest in April 2011. A historian by profession, he is also an amateur chemist and physicist....
step down as President (allowing internationally-recognised President Alassane Ouattara
Alassane Ouattara
Alassane Dramane Ouattara is an Ivorian politician who has been President of Côte d'Ivoire since 2011. An economist by profession, Ouattara worked for the International Monetary Fund and the Central Bank of West African States , and he was the Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire from November 1990 to...
to take power) and imposed sanctions on him and his close associates.
The resolution was sponsored by France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
Observations
In the preamble of the resolution, the Council wished for a peaceful, durable and democraticDemocracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
resolution to the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire. It commended the efforts of the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
and Economic Community of West African States
Economic Community of West African States
The Economic Community of West African States is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region....
(ECOWAS) to resolve the crisis, and reaffirmed the international recognition given to Alassane Ouattara as President of Côte d'Ivoire.
There was concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country and its possible relapse into a civil war
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
. The Council condemned all provocative actions and violations of human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
by any party and called for restraint and the peaceful resolution of their differences. All such violations had to be investigated and those responsible be brought to justice, with the Council considering that attacks on civilians could constitute a crime against humanity
Crime against humanity
Crimes against humanity, as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Explanatory Memorandum, "are particularly odious offenses in that they constitute a serious attack on human dignity or grave humiliation or a degradation of one or more human beings...
.
Acts
Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations CharterChapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council's powers to maintain peace. It allows the Council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and nonmilitary action to "restore international peace...
, the Council urged all Ivorian parties to respect the will of the people and the election of Alassane Ouattara as President of Côte d'Ivoire, as recognised by ECOWAS, the African Union and the rest of the international community
International community
The international community is a term used in international relations to refer to all peoples, cultures and governments of the world or to a group of them. The term is used to imply the existence of common duties and obligations between them...
. It also demanded an immediate end to violence against civilians. Furthermore, the Ivorian parties were urged to pursue the political solution offered by the African Union, and Laurent Gbagbo was criticised for not accepting the solution and urged to step down.
The resolution condemned attacks by defence forces, militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
s and mercenaries
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
against United Nations peacekeepers
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
, and urged Laurent Gbagbo's forces and supporters to fully co-operate with the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire
United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire
The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire is a peacekeeping mission whose objective is "to facilitate the implementation by the Ivorian parties of the peace agreement signed by them in January 2003"...
(UNOCI). Furthermore, attacks against civilians were strongly condemned and the Council reiterated that UNOCI could use "all necessary measures" in its mandate
Mandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
to protect civilians under imminent threat of attack.
All Ivorian parties were urged to co-operate with UNOCI and supporting French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
forces as part of Operation Unicorn, by guaranteeing their safety and freedom of movement
Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as co-operating with an independent inquiry put in place by the United Nations Human Rights Council
United Nations Human Rights Council
The United Nations Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations System. The UNHRC is the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights , and is a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly...
. Ivorian state media
State media
State media or state-owned media is media for mass communication which is ultimately controlled and/or funded by the state. These news outlets may be the sole media outlet or may exist in competition with privately-controlled media.-Overview:...
, including Radiodiffusion Television Ivoirienne
Radiodiffusion Television Ivoirienne
Radiodiffusion-Télévision ivoirienne is the publicly owned radio and television authority of Côte d'Ivoire. It is financed through a combination of television and radio licences, advertisement, and taxes.-Radio:...
, was condemned for inciting violence and restrictions on freedom of expression were urged to be lifted.
There was concern at the increase in the number of refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s and internally displaced person
Internally displaced person
An internally displaced person is someone who is forced to flee his or her home but who remains within his or her country's borders. They are often referred to as refugees, although they do not fall within the current legal definition of a refugee. At the end of 2006 it was estimated there were...
s, particularly in Liberia, and demands that Laurent Gbagbo lift the siege against the hotel where Alassane Ouattara was blockaded and protected by UNOCI troops.
Sanctioned individuals
Finally, the Council placed financial and travel sanctions on the following individuals for obstructing the peace process:- Laurent Gbagbo (former President of Côte d'Ivoire);
- Simone GbagboSimone GbagboSimone Ehivet Gbagbo is an Ivorian politician. She is the President of the Parliamentary Group of the Ivorian Popular Front and is a Vice-President of the FPI...
(Chairperson of the Parliamentary Group of the Ivorian Popular FrontIvorian Popular FrontThe Ivorian Popular Front , known by its French initials FPI, is a centre-left, democratic socialist and social democratic, political party in Côte d'Ivoire....
); - Désiré TagroDésiré TagroDésiré Asségnini Tagro was an Ivorian politician who served as the Minister of the Interior and chief of staff for former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo during the 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis...
(Secretary-General of the presidency of Laurent Gbagbo); - Pascal Affi N'Guessan (Chairman of the Ivorian Popular Front);
- Alcide DjédjéAlcide DjédjéIlahiri Alcide Djédjé is an Ivorian diplomat who was the Permanent Representative of Côte d'Ivoire to the United Nations from 2007-2010. He was succeeded by Youssoufou Bamba....
(close advisor to Laurent Gbagbo).
See also
- 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis2010–2011 Ivorian crisisThe 2010–11 Ivorian crisis was a political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire which began after Laurent Gbagbo, the President of Côte d'Ivoire since 2000, was proclaimed the winner of the Ivorian election of 2010, the first election in the country in 10 years...
- Ivorian Civil War
- Ivorian presidential election, 2010
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1901 to 2000 (2009 – 2011)