Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /    Marcel  Amon-Tanoh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire speaks at the  International Peace Institute (IPI) in New York City, Dec. 17, 2019.

By Gary Raynaldo        DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –   NEW  YORK  –   Having gone through a bitter civil war,  the west African nation Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) was in a unique position to contribute to a UN peacekeeping operation its country following a failed coup in 2002.  The UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) was created in 2002, when soldiers of the Ivorian armed forces tried to topple then-President Laurent Gbagbo. The insurgency sparked a rebellion, with rebel forces taking control of the northern half of the  country.  France, joined by regional actors, intervened militarily and mediation efforts were launched. Out of this situation, the UN Security Council created UNOCI as a multidimensional peacekeeping operation, which completed its mandate in 2017 after thirteen years.  

Marcel  Amon-Tanoh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire spoke at the  International Peace Institute (IPI) in New York City this week on his country’s contribution to the successful UN peacekeeping mission transition from conflict to peace and stability,  as well as Ivory Coast’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from 2017 – 2019 Term. 

“Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to dialogue as a way to prevent and resolve conflict, and to multilateralism as an ideal framework for reaching consensus, are the principles which guide my country’s action on the international diplomatic stage.”

-Marcel  Amon-Tanoh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire said, 

in response to a question on how elected UN Members can shape the agenda and outcomes of the Security Council and how they overcome challenges are important for all member states.

Minister Amon-Tanoh was joined by Jean-Pierre Lacroix,  Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, at the IPI  forum in New York City,

Q:  ‘What lessons did your government bring to the council after hosting a successful transition from conflict to peace & stability?’

 A:   “We need political will to work with governments. We also adhere to disarmament, demobilization and reintegration(DDR)”

-Ivory Coast Minister Minister Amon-Tanoh

DIPLOMATIC TIMES Video /  West African Côte d’Ivoire Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcel Amon-Tanoh Says His Country has commitment to dialogue as a way to prevent and resolve conflict on UN Security Council , speaking at the IPI in  New York City December 17 2019.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Priorities for its Term on the UN Security Council

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /    Marcel  Amon-Tanoh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire speaks global conflict and peacekeeping  at the IPI in New York City, Dec. 17, 2019. 

Photo: ONU/Loey Felipe  /   L’Ambassadeur Léon Kacou Adom, Représentant permanent de la Côte d’Ivoire à l’ONU lors d’une réunion du Conseil de sécurité en juillet 2018.

Côte d’Ivoire’s priorities for its term on the UN Security Council:

– Share lessons on emerging from crisis and building peace

-Strengthen global peace and security, and support for UN Peacekeeping

-Amplify the voice of African Union  on security & humanitarian issues

On UN-AU partnership:

“We shouldn’t forget that as an African country on the UN Security Council, we represent a wide area, while other countries represent their own precise regions. The voice of the A3   (Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea & South Africa)   is strongest when united.”

-Marcel  Amon-Tanoh,     Minister of Foreign Affairs   Republic of Ivory Coast 

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /    Marcel  Amon-Tanoh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and  with  Jean-Pierre Lacroix,  Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, at the IPI  forum in New York City, Dec. 17, 2019.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES Video /  Jean-Pierre Lacroix,  Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations,  speaks with  West African Côte d’Ivoire Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcel Amon-Tanoh   at the IPI in  New York City December 17 2019.

“UNOCI, having been one of the early multidimensional peacekeeping missions, and having gone through so many situations in the country, was unprecedented. I think this informed the way Côte d’Ivoire took part in the Security Council.  I think it has enriched the UNSC and our operations to have the contributions of Côte d’Ivoire, and generally, of countries that have directly experienced all the complexities & outcomes of peacekeeping.”

-Jean-Pierre LaCroix said,   on Côte d’Ivoire’s contribution to the Security Council

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /    Marcel  Amon-Tanoh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire makes a point as Jean-Pierre Lacroix,  Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations,  listens,  at the IPI  forum in New York City, Dec. 17, 2019