David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the Ivory Coast following recent elections and in particular the situation in the northern part of that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5601/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The situation in Cote d'Ivoire is extremely serious and of growing concern to the Irish Government and our EU partners. The first round of Presidential elections was held in Cote d'Ivoire on 31 October 2010, after having been initially scheduled for 2005. With no outright winner, a second round was held on 28 November, in which President Laurent Gbagbo faced opposition leader Alassane Ouattara. On 2 December the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) released results of the election, declaring Mr Ouattara the winner, with the UN certifying the result. However, the President of the Constitutional Council declared that the results were null and void and, citing irregularities in Mr. Ouattara's northern base, cancelled returns from four regions. The Constitutional Council then declared President Gbagbo the winner. The UN, European Union, African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United States have all formally recognised Ouattara as the duly elected President. However, after the Constitutional Council announcement, Gbagbo was sworn in as President. ECOWAS immediately suspended Cote d'Ivoire from the group and the AU suspended Côte d'Ivoire from all AU activities. On 18 December, Gbagbo ordered all UN peacekeepers to leave the country. The UN refused to leave, and the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Côte d'Ivoire until June 30, 2011.

On 22 December the EU agreed to impose travel restrictions and an asset freeze on a number of persons in Cote d'Ivoire who were identified as obstructing the process of peace and national reconciliation, and in particular those jeopardising the proper outcome of the electoral process. Since then the list has been expanded and is constantly monitored.

African mediation teams from ECOWAS and the AU have been in negotiations with President Gbagbo but without significant progress so far. Indeed, in spite of all international efforts to resolve the situation, it is deteriorating and violence is increasing. Pro-Ouatarra "Forces Nouvelles" militia are advancing southwards from the northern region which they have controlled since the 2005 ceasefire. Meanwhile pro-Gbagbo militia are now seeking to enrol in the regular army. The UN estimates that the death toll now stands at 440.

Relative to the southern city of Abidjan and western parts of Cote d'Ivoire where clashes between regular and irregular forces have been concentrated, northern Cote D'Ivoire appears to be more stable. Although low level clashes have occurred along the former "zone of confidence", a line patrolled by UN and French forces that divided northern and southern parts of Cote d'Ivoire until 2007, it would appear that clashes have been restricted to areas where opposing forces are deployed in close proximity to each other. This situation is reflected in the lower number of refugees moving from northern parts of Cote D'Ivoire to neighbouring countries than is the case in the south. Figures indicate that approximately 7,000 people have moved to Mali, Ghana and Burkina Faso, whilst the number of refugees moving into Liberia is reported to be in excess of 90,000.

In Liberia, the Government is working closely with UN agencies and NGO partners as Liberia's capacity to respond to the influx of refugees is limited. Irish Aid has provided €400,000 to UNHCR and €300,000 to UNICEF to assist with the refugee situation in Liberia. There are also an estimated 400,000 internally displaced persons in Cote d'Ivoire and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate rapidly with increasingly limited access for the local population to essential services and rapidly rising prices for food and other basic necessities. The situation in Cote d'Ivoire remains a priority for the EU and indeed was discussed again at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 21 March. Ireland and the EU support African leadership on this issue, and will do all that we can to contribute to a peaceful resolution to the situation, whereby the will of the people as expressed in the election is respected, without further injuries or loss of life.