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Foreign Minister Westerwelle expresses concern at situation in Côte d’Ivoire
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has expressed his concern in response to the most recent events in Côte d’Ivoire, demanding an end to the violence. In Beijing as part of his visit to China, he issued the following statement today (1 April):
“The fighting in Côte d’Ivoire is spreading unbearable suffering among the country’s people and is a grave danger for the entire region. The violence needs to cease immediately. I condemn the use of heavy weapons against the population. President Gbagbo, who failed to win re-election, must at last accept the will of his people and clear the way for the country’s peaceful future.”
Germany is working both bilaterally and as part of the European Union and the United Nations to help defuse the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire swiftly.
On Wednesday (30 March), the United Nations unanimously adopted Resolution 1975. At the heart of this resolution are travel and financial sanctions imposed on Laurent Gbagbo and four close associates. It also calls on both sides to renounce violence, condemns violence used against civilians and the UN peace mission UNOCI, and urges UNOCI to make full use of its robust mandate to protect the civilian population.