[ 2011-05-22 ]

Ban Ki Moon asks Ivory Coast to forge national integration
Accra, May 21, GNA - Mr Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary
General has observed that Ivory Coast would face
enormous challenges in restoring peace,
accountability and reconciliation, after months of
post-election violence.

He said although President Alassane Ouattara was
about to be sworn in as President of the country,
he would face a lot of difficulties in forging
national cohesion, adding that he was encouraged
by Mr Quattara's commitment to ensure that peace
was restored in his country.

Mr Ban made the observation when he interacted
with President John Evans Atta Mills at the Kotoka
International Airport, where the two personalities
en route to Yamoussoukro, the Administrative
Capital of neighbouring Ivory Coast to witness the
investiture of President Ouattara.

Mr Ban commended President Mills for his astute
leadership especially in handling the Ivorian
crisis and for establishing democratic principles
of governance in Ghana.

"You are an example of leaders in Africa who have
established democratic principles," he stressed.

The UN Secretary General urged President Mills to
continue to work with the ECOWAS and African Union
to ensure that Ivory Coast becomes peaceful.

He said the UN was ready to provide any needed
technical support for Ghana's General Election in
2012.

President Mills lauded the UN for the decision to
witness the investiture of his Ivorian
counterpart, saying it signified the importance
that the world body attached to the attainment of
peace in Ivory Coast.

He pledged Ghana's commitment to achieve peace in
Ivory Coast and asked development partners and
other stakeholders to aid the process.

"We would do whatever it takes to make sure that
country returns to normalcy," President Mills
said.

This is the first time ever a UN Secretary General
is participating in the swearing in of a Head of
State.

Fighting broke out in Ivory Coast after Mr
Quattara's predecessor Laurent Gbagbo refused to
admit defeat following the November 2010
Presidential Election.

More than 20 heads of state including Nicolas
Sarkozy, President of former colonial power
France, are attending the investiture of President
Ouattara.

Source - GNA

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