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| Africa: West |
| U.N. Extends Ivory Coast Peacekeepers |
| 2003-08-05 |
| The Security Council voted unanimously Monday to extend the authorization for more than 5,000 French and West African peacekeepers maintaining a fragile cease-fire in the Ivory Coast. The resolution reaffirmed the council’s commitment to the West African nation’s "independence, territorial integrity and unity." About 4,000 French troops are working with more than 1,200 West African peacekeepers to monitor a cease-fire between rebels, who occupy the northern half of the country, and loyalists of Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo, who hold the south. The resolution extends U.N. authorization to France and countries from the Economic Community of West African States participating in the force until Feb. 4, 2004. I thought the Phrench were pulling out soon? The conflict erupted in September with a failed attempt to oust Gbagbo. The country, though still divided, is hopeful that peace will hold. A power-sharing government — including members of Gbagbo’s party, opposition parties, and rebel groups — has met several times, and has moved recently to re-establish government services to the north. Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, was for decades West Africa’s bastion of stability and peace. A 1999 coup shattered that reputation, and the country has been volatile ever since. The government estimates that more than 3,000 people have been killed in fighting since September. About 1 million have been driven from their homes. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #1 Hey, the Phrench always pull out - yet another reason why they're losing the population numbers game vs their Muslim immigrants... |
| Posted by: ·com 2003-8-5 3:43:30 AM |