S/RES/1980 deals with the extension of the mandate of the UN mission in the Ivory Coast (UNOCI) and it seeks to expand the goals of the mission on the ground, dealing with the current obstacles that they face. There are several calls for the mission to be concerned in the ground and also tries to enhance the authority and legitimacy of the new president that was instated after previous UN resolutions, such as S/RES/1975. There are several discussions and demands related to arms embargo and the demobilization of militias. It is a resolution that tries to encompass all the issues that are pending for the stabilization of the Ivory Coast.
Preamble
The document initiates by traditionally recalling the previous resolutions and statements of its President and reaffirming its strong commitment to Ivorian sovereignty. As in other Ivory Coast resolutions, it recalls the importance of the principles of good-neighborliness for the situation that is on the ground. It also takes note of the reports by the Secretary-General and by the Group of Experts, while emphasizing the continued contribution to the stability of the nation of the previous UN measures such as the ones established under S/RES/1975. The resolutions further welcomes that President Ouattara was able to assume his responsibilities as Head of State as set by the elections earlier.
The preamble also emphasizes the importance of sustained efforts by all the Ivorians to promote national reconciliation and consolidation of peace and stresses the importance of the assistance of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the process. In reiterating the condemnation of all violations of human rights and all violence against civilians, it recalls specific UN documents that address issues of women and children in armed areas. It also stresses the importance for the Group of Experts to have access to sufficient resources for the implementation of its mandate. It closes the section by determining that the situation in the Ivory Coast is still a threat to international peace and security and it acts under Chapter VII of the Charter.
Operative Clauses
The resolutions extends the measures related to arms control and travelling until April 30, 2012 and that is also the date until measures regarding rough diamonds is extended to. It also decides to review the measures on arms and diamonds in the light of the progress in stabilization of the country that has taken place. For that reason it also calls for a midterm review of these measures to be submitted no later than October 31, 2011. It also calls upon all Member States to fully implement the measures that have been renewed and also calls UNOCI and the French forces to lend its full support, within their mandates, to support those measures. It also urges all illegal armed combatants to give up their weapons immediately and the Ivorian National Commission is to ensure that these weapons are neutralized.
The document also recalls that UNOCI is mandated to collect arms and related materiel brought to the Ivory Coast. It also expresses its concern with the presence of mercenaries in the country and calls upon the authorities of the Ivory Coast and Liberia to coordinate to solve the issue of mercenaries and puts forward that both UN mission should assist in this situation. The clauses move on to reiterate the necessity of unhindered access to be provided to the Group of Experts, the UNOCI and the French Forces for them to execute their mandates regarding the de-mobilization of militias and arms. The measures imposed by the United Nations in 2004 shall apply to the vehicles to be supplied to Ivorian security forces as well as to arms and related materiel. It further underlines that the Council is fully prepared to impose sanctions to persons that are determined to be: a threat to peace and national reconciliation; attacking or obstructing the action of UNOCI; responsible for obstacles to freedom of movement of the troops or for serious violations of human rights; inciting public hatred and violence, or acting in violation of the measures imposed on arms and diamond.
The Council reiterates its readiness to impose sanctions against those who obstruct electoral process and requests that all States cooperate with the Sanctions Committee. It also decides to extend the mandate of the Group of Experts until April 30, 2012 and requests the Secretary-General take necessary measures related to this decision. It also requests the Group of Experts to submit a midterm report to the Sanctions Committee by October 15, 2011 and that reports of the Group of Experts should include possible additional designations of individuals and entities to be targeted with sanctions from the United Nations. The document spends three clauses calling the Secretary-General, the French Government and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to communicate to the Council any information that the entities under their command might have regarding arms control and diamond trade. This call is also made to all States, relevant UN bodies and other organizations and interested parties to supply the Sanctions Committee, Group of Experts, UNOCI and the French forces as it regards to the sanctions on arms and diamonds.
The document moves on to encourage the Ivorian authorities to conduct a review and assessment of its internal control system for trade of rough diamonds as well as to deploy customs and border control throughout the country in a effort to better enforce the measures explored by this resolution. S/RES/1980 moves on the customary citation of resolutions and violence against minorities and the importance of information-sharing between the relevant parties inside the UN. It further urges all Ivorian parties and all States to ensure the safety and the access to documentation, sites and persons to the Group of Experts on the ground. It closes it by deciding to remain seized of the matter.
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