COPS ambassadors at the bedside of Côte d'Ivoire

The ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee (COPS) of the European Union will once again examine the situation in Côte d'Ivoire on Tuesday. This will be one of the first meetings, under the new format (that of Lisbon) with Swedish Ambassador Olof Skoog who will chair the meeting on behalf of the High Representative. This involves, among other things, examining the response to be given to the indirect request from the UN, forwarded by France, for reinforcements for UNOCI. The previous meetings (at Christmas) having failed to reach a conclusion on the subject.

Fearing the "asphyxiation" of UNOCI troops, the UN Secretary General had indeed asked, just before Christmas, France to place a helicopter carrier and naval logistics capabilities in the region to break the logistical blockade around the Hotel du Golf (where President-elect Ouattara is taking refuge) and the headquarters of UNOCI, as well as ensuring the supply of the hotel.

European coordination is necessary

For France, it is important that in "the European Union can play its full role"and that the High Representative is playing"a coordinating role by encouraging contributions from Member States"to make them known to the UN peacekeeping operations department. France specified a French diplomat only plans to contribute to the support of UNOCI with naval means under two conditions: "in the event of deterioration of the situation" and "to the extent that these means would be supplemented by European partners". In other words, there is no question of France intervening on its own.

The Netherlands has already anticipated this request by sending a logistical support ship, the Amsterdam, able to fulfill some of the missions requested by the UN. She is currently on her way to the Netherlands, after having resupplied the French ship, the BPC Tonnerre, with fuel and water. According to our information, both Italy and Spain are ready to support coordinated European action, without automatically making resources available.

As for the United Kingdom, without making a formal statement, it has taken a vigorous public position by withdrawing its accreditations from the ambassador of the Gbagbo camp. This prompted an immediate response. The British ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, who actually resides in Ghana, has had his accreditation withdrawn by the Gbagbo government. Interested Nicholas Westcott is no stranger to this blog. He was formalized in early January as the "Africa" ​​director of the European diplomatic service. He will thus be in the front row to manage the Ivorian file....

Read also:

• Ivory Coast: COPS emergency meetings between Christmas and New Year
• Côte d'Ivoire: "crimes will not go unpunished" says Europe
• Possible sanctions against Côte d'Ivoire. The EU behind the United States
• Ivory Coast: European emergency humanitarian aid
• The blockade of blue helmets continues in Abidjan. The UN calls for help.
• Dutch warship returning from Indian Ocean diverts to Ivory Coast
• Ivory Coast: Europeans roll their eyes but do not use their arms
• Towards a list of Ivorian leaders banned from staying