President of Cote d'Ivoire Laurent Gbagbo on Wednesday called on the United Nations General Assembly to partially lift its arms embargo on his country, saying the country's peace process has been going on smoothly.
During his speech at the Assembly, Abagbo said that substantial achievements have been made in the peace process since a March peace deal signed in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou by Gbagbo and rebel leader Guillaume Soro, now his prime minister. The agreement stipulates the holding of general elections before October next year.
"We are taking great steps along the road to peace since the Ouagadougou deal," Gbagbo said. "I would like therefore to solemnly request the partial lifting of the arms embargo to allow the Ivorian state (Cote d'Ivoire) to fulfill its mission to protect people and goods."
The UN Security Council imposed arms embargo on the west Africa country in November 2004, after a ceasefire was violated between the government and the New Forces rebels which control the country's north. The embargo is due on Oct. 31.
Gbagbo also appealed for the removal of travel and asset freezes imposed in February 2006 on Charles Ble Goude and Eugene Djue, leaders of the Young Patriots youth movement which supports him, and rebel commander Fofie Kouakou. The three men were accused of blocking the peace efforts.
Cote d'Ivoire has been divided into two since the former rebel group New Forces (FN) led by Guillaume Soro took control of the north of the country after failing in its armed bid to unseat Gbagbo in September 2002.
Soro and Gbagbo reached a peace agreement in Ouagadougou in March 2007, setting the stage for the re-establishment of lasting peace and reconciliation in the country.
In accordance with the agreement, Soro was appointed prime minister specifically tasked with preparing the country for the elections, which are expected to mark the last phase of the country's peace process.
Source: Xinhua
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