Côte d'Ivoire: UN will reduce its military personnel by March 30

After the “success of the presidential election” last October, organized in quiet, the UN decided Wednesday to downsize its mission of maintaining peace in Ivory Coast. By 30 March, UNOCI must thus from 5 437-4 000 soldiers.
At the latest early in 2018, all peacekeepers must have left Ivorian territory. In any case the wishes of the authorities. Meanwhile, the Security Council, the UN decided on 20 January, to reduce staff of the UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) to reflect the improving security and “success of the presidential election” of October 25, 2015.
The organization of the elections in a calm and mark “a decisive step in the consolidation of peace and long-term stability in Côte d’Ivoire”, as the Security Council also stressed “considerable progress towards reconciliation, stability and security. ”
Resolution adopted unanimously
This is why the authorized military strength of UNOCI will increase from 5437 to 4000 troops by March 31, according to a resolution adopted unanimously. In addition, UNOCI also has 1,500 police officers.
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the UN, is invited to present before the end of March a report and recommendations on the continuation of these reductions and the future of the mission.
Arms embargo maintained.
But the Security Council stressed that “the situation in Côte d’Ivoire continues to threaten international peace and security in the region” and maintains a sanctions regime imposed on the country, including an arms embargo, despite repeated requests sunrise issued by Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian president.
The arms embargo imposed since 2004 but was relaxed in 2012 to allow the security forces in the country to train.