Gbagbo’s surrender followed weeks of fighting and human rights abuses.
Côte d’Ivoire has been engulfed by violence since last November
when Mr. Gbagbo refused to step down from power, despite losing a
UN-certified and internationally recognized presidential election to
Mr. Alassane Ouattara.
“I am going to speak with President Ouattara, how the United
Nations and the Côte d’Ivoire Government can work together to address
all the issues which we will have in our future,” Mr. Ban told
reporters on Monday at UN Headquarters.
“First of all, we have reports that more than 1,000 people have
reportedly been killed; more than 100,000 people have fled the
country. We have to help them to restore stability, rule of law, and
address all humanitarian situations. I am going to discuss this matter
with President Ouattara and the international community,” Mr. Ban
added.
This was contained in a statement issued in Accra on Tuesday by
the UN Information Centre.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy
told reporters after briefing the Security Council that Mr. Gbagbo was
currently in custody in an apartment in the Golf Hotel in Abidjan,
where Mr. Ouattara and his entourage have been based under the
protection of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) since the
result of the election was declared.
“I can confirm that the former president and his wife are at the
Golf Hotel… UNOCI has been requested to ensure their security,” said
Mr. Le Roy, adding that it was up to Mr. Ouattara to decide what do to
with his predecessor.
He stressed that UNOCI’s military operation on Monday against Mr.
Gbagbo’s forces was in response to their attacks against the UN and
civilians in Abidjan. Mr. Gbagbo’s forces had also shelled Mr.
Ouattara’s residence at the weekend, he said.
In response to a question on what role the UN played in the
events leading up to Mr. Gbagbo’s capture, the Secretary-General said
the world body acted within the mandate outlined under Security
Council resolution 1975.
“We have been trying to prevent heavy weapons from killing the
civilian population, and we really had to defend the United Nations
peacekeepers’ safety and security because we were under attack many
times.
“Now that Mr. Laurent Gbagbo is in the custody of forces loyal to
President Ouattara, his physical safety should be ensured.
“We need to think about what his future should be. That is up to
President Ouattara and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to determine.
But we will very closely coordinate,” Mr. Ban added.
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