Abidjan, June 26, 2006

DJCI President Mr. Modeste Seri expressed his concern at the conclusions emerging from informal bilateral consultations held between DJCI representatives and Security Council Member State diplomats in New York over the last two weeks.  “From the information gathered during those meetings, it is clear that most Security Council members no longer believe it possible to hold elections in Ivory Coast by the current October 30 deadline. DJCI also shares this view. Where we differ, however, is in our belief that a much more thorough preparation in terms of disarmament, reconciliation, and civic education is necessary before elections can be seen as a valid step to sustainable peace.” Mr. Seri said.

He noted that the Peace Proposal DJCI has been promoting for the last 18 months (see www.cwps.org ) calls for a non-partisan, technocratic, Ivorian transition government supported by the international community. This government would enable conditions to allow elections to be meaningful and to lay the base for a durable peace in the country.

“While we are encouraged to notice that several Council members share our views, we are concerned that some members still seem to prefer to maintain the current timetable, even if the elections would be premature. Such impatience could prove very costly in the long run”, added Modeste Seri.

The DJCI President was also very pleased to hear that Council members agreed that the choice of Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny showed that competent Ivorian professionals could be found outside the current political class. “The transitional government we are proposing would need to be run by non-partisan Ivorian professionals of technical competence and good morality. Such people, committed to the good of the country rather than jealous of their own advantages, do exist here”, commented Mr. Seri.

“To save Ivory Coast in the vacuum that will arise after October 30, we can only pray that the international community will support the establishment of a technocrat-run transitional government of the type we are proposing. The Ivorian people are clamoring for change” he added, expressing his hope, once again, that the Security Council will show its commitment to longer term thorough post-conflict UN peace building.

 One further encouraging conclusion about the latest series of meetings between DJCI and Security Council members was the growing interest and availability of their diplomats to listen to the voice of representatives of Ivorian civil society. “I am grateful for the fact that 14 missions out of the 15 were so welcoming to our representatives. I thank them for their interest to listen to the people of Ivory Coast. It is a healthy step that should be encouraged” said the DJCI President. 

For further comment: Modeste Seri + 225 08586948 , movdjci@aol.com