United Nations Radio

The head of United Nations peacekeeping says leaders in Cote d'Ivoire are determined to hold elections on 29 November this year as scheduled.

Alain Le Roy

Speaking to reporters after briefing the Security Council on Thursday, Alain Le Roy, said during his recent trip to Africa, he met with all parties involved in the Cote d"Ivoire peace process.

Mr  Le Roy sounded upbeat about Cote d'Ivoire holding the elections, which have been postponed several times before, pointing out that for the first time the process of registration has been carried out with dedication.

"Today there are more than six million people who have been registered and probably the total of voters will be around that figure. Maybe the number will increase a little bit but some will be withdrawn from the list. So roughly six million voters will be called to vote and from all parts of the country the mission for registration has been in all villages. So that has happened. So there has been a serious effort in that field."

The crisis in the country started in 2002 leading to a conflict which divided the country between the Forces Nouvelles led by Guillaume Soro, in the north and the south under the government led by President Laurent Gbagbo.

The two leaders signed the Ougadougou Agreement in 2007 to end the conflict and bring lasting peace to the country, including by holding elections.

Mr. Le Roy said on the issue of security, the United Nations mission is encouraging the mixed forces made up of Forces Nouvelles and governments forces to be operational as soon as possible.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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