SC/8830
15 September 2006
Security Council Extends Mandate of Expert Group Monitoring Côte d'Ivoire Arms Embargo, Unanimously Adopts Resolution 1708 (2006)
NEW YORK, 14 September (UN Headquarters) -- Determining that the situation in Côte d'Ivoire continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security, the Security Council today decided to extend until 15 December the mandate of the three-person team it had created to monitor the arms embargo in that country.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1708 (2006) and acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council requested the Group of Experts to submit an updated report on the implementation of the arms embargo imposed by resolution 1572 (2004), which requires all countries to "prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer" of arms and related material to Côte d'Ivoire. It also requires States to prevent the entry and transit of persons who constitute a threat to the peace and national reconciliation process, and freeze the funds, other financial assets and economic resources owned and controlled by those persons.
The Council also requested an update on the implementation of resolution 1643 (2005), which, among other things, requires States to prevent the import of all rough diamonds from Côte d'Ivoire to their territory and describes any serious obstacle to the freedom of movement of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and that of the French forces that support it as a threat to the country's peace and national reconciliation process.
The Group of Experts was created through resolution 1584 of February 2005 as part of a set of measures aimed at ensuring an effective embargo and better means of arms surveillance and control in the West African country following demobilization and disarmament agreements that were part of peace accords.
The Group's tasks include gathering and analysing all relevant information, in Côte d'Ivoire and other countries in the region, on arms caches and flows, and recommending ways of improving the embargo's implementation.
The meeting began at 12:35 and adjourned at 12:40.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 1708 (2006) reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Côte d'Ivoire, in particular resolutions 1572 (2004) of 15 November 2004, 1584 (2005) of 1 February 2005, 1633 (2005) of 21 October 2005 and 1643 (2005) of 15 December 2005, and the relevant statements of its President,
"Welcoming the ongoing efforts of the Secretary-General, the African Union and the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) towards re establishing peace and stability in Côte d'Ivoire,
"Recalling the final report (S/2006/735, annex) of the Group of Experts created by the Secretary-General, further to paragraph 9 of resolution 1643 (2005),
"Determining that the situation in Côte d'Ivoire continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,
"Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
"1. Decides to extend the mandate of the Group of Experts to 15 December 2006, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures;
"2. Requests the Group of Experts to submit a brief written update to the Council, through the Committee established by paragraph 14 of resolution 1572 (2004), before 1 December 2006, on the implementation of the measures imposed by paragraphs 7, 9 and 11 of resolution 1572 (2004) and paragraphs 4 and 6 of resolution 1643 (2005) with recommendations in this regard;
"3. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."
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