The UN Security Council Nov. 15 unanimously approved an immediate arms embargo on Côte d’Ivoire after the government broke a ceasefire agreement with rebel forces and also attacked French forces inside the country.
Prohibiting arms supplies to the Côte d’Ivoire government and its rivals, the embargo will be in place for 13 months. Before that period ends, the Security Council will assess whether all sides are abiding by their commitments to create a “Government of National Reconciliation” and to work toward free and transparent elections as agreed to in January 2003. The Security Council could decide to extend the embargo.
A former French colony, Côte d’Ivoire has been wracked by coups and infighting since 1999. In addition to a UN peacekeeping force, France has stationed some 4,000 soldiers in the country to help protect French citizens living there. Although the Côte d’Ivoire government claimed the attack was a mistake, government aircraft bombed French troops Nov. 6, causing 31 casualties. France retaliated by destroying the airplanes, which set off riots that prompted nearly half of the 14,000 French citizens in the West African state to flee.
In reports submitted to the United Nations, four countries have acknowledged delivering major weapons to Côte d’Ivoire in 2003. Belarus ranked as the top supplier, providing 20 armored combat vehicles (ACVs), 16 large-caliber artillery pieces, and two combat aircraft. Bulgaria also exported two combat aircraft, as well as two attack helicopters and three artillery systems. Romania delivered four attack helicopters, and Ukraine transferred one ACV.
Other countries currently under a UN arms embargo are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Somalia. A UN arms embargo is also in effect for members of al Qaeda and the Taliban.