Cote D'Ivoire

On 9 June 2008, the Security Council delegation travelled to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, where they received a briefing by Choi Yongjin, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, and other senior officials of the UN peacekeeping mission (ONUCI).

The delegation also met with President Gbagbo.  The Council welcomed the political progress and positive developments towards elections in November, but underlined the need for the parties to implement their further obligations.

Meetings were also conducted with a cross-section of Ivorian civil society, with opposition figure Alassane Ouattara, with the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission and with military officials, including the UN Force Commander and the Chief of Staff of the Ivorian Army. The delegation also met with the team in charge of the logistical preparations for the planned November presidential election and with the Special Representative of the Facilitator of the Ivorian peace process.