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'{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2011}} {{Infobox United Nations | name = United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire | image =UN emblem blue.svg | caption = | type = Peacekeeping Mission | acronyms = ONUCI | head = [[Bert Koenders]] | status = Active | established = 4 April 2004 | website = http://www.onuci.org/ | parent = [[United Nations Security Council]] | subsidiaries = | footnotes = }} {{Politics of Ivory Coast}} The '''United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire''' ({{lang-fr|link=no|'''Opération des Nations Unies en Côte d'Ivoire'''}}, '''ONUCI''') is a [[List of United Nations peacekeeping missions|peacekeeping mission]] whose objective is "to facilitate the implementation by the [[Ivory Coast|Ivorian]] parties of the peace agreement signed by them in January 2003" (which aimed to end the [[First Ivorian Civil War|Ivorian Civil War]]). The two main Ivorian parties here are the Ivorian Government forces who control the south of the country, and the [[Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire|New Forces]] (former rebels), who control the north. The UNOCI mission aims to control a "zone of confidence" across the centre of the country separating the two parties. The Head of Mission and Special Representative of the Secretary-General is [[Bert Koenders]] from the [[Netherlands]]. He has succeeded [[Choi Young-jin]] from [[South Korea]] in 2011. ==History== The mission was authorized by [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1528|Security Council Resolution 1528]] on 27 February 2004 to take over from [[MINUCI]] from 4 April 2004.<ref name="UN_SRES15282004_page2">{{UN document |docid=S-RES-1528(2004) |type=Resolution |body=Security Council |year=2004 |resolution_number=1528 |highlight=rect_187,760_809,877 |page=2 |accessdate=23 October 2007|date=27 February 2004}}</ref> The mandate was subsequently extended several times, including 31 October 2008,<ref name="UN_SRES17822007">{{UN document |docid=S-RES-1782(2007) |type=Resolution |body=Security Council |year=2007 |resolution_number=1782 |accessdate=30 October 2007|date=29 October 2007}}</ref> 31 January 2010,<ref name="UN_SRES18802009">{{UN document |docid=S-RES-1880(2009) |type=Resolution |body=Security Council |year=2009 |resolution_number=1880 |accessdate=17 August 2009}}</ref> 27 May 2010,<ref>{{UN document |docid=S-RES-1924(2010) |type=Resolution |body=Security Council |year=2010 |resolution_number=1924 |accessdate=1 June 2010}}</ref> 20 December 2010,<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12045387 |publisher=BBC News | title=UN urges recognition of Ouattara as Ivory Coast leader | date=20 December 2010}}</ref> and most recently on 27 July 2011.<ref>http://www.undemocracy.com/S-RES-2000(2011)</ref> In February 2006, following an appeal by UN Secretary General [[Kofi Annan]], the [[United Nations Security Council]] agreed to strengthen the ONUCI forces by sending a battalion from [[United Nations Mission in Liberia]] with 800-soldiers to Ivory Coast.<ref>{{Cite news | title = COTE D IVOIRE: Security Council bolsters troubled peacekeeping force |publisher=BBC | date = 6 February 2006 | url = http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/0d677a8172b376fa7304b748717b1f6e.htm }}</ref> As of November 2006, the mission consisted of about 8,000 uniformed soldiers from a total of 41 countries. They have included, from the [[Bangladeshi Army]], 56th and 57th Battalions, [[East Bengal Regiment]]. They were deployed alongside 4,000 French soldiers of the [[Operation Unicorn|Operation Licorne]] intervention.<ref>{{Cite news| title = UN extends mandate of troops in Ivory Coast |work=The Independent |location=UK | location=South Africa |url = http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=86&art_id=iol1168464029439B222 | date = 11 January 2007}}</ref> On 29 July 2008, the day before UNOCI's mandate was set to expire, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to extend its mandate to 31 January 2009 so that the peacekeepers could "support the organization of free, open, fair and transparent elections". A [[Ivorian presidential election, 2009|presidential election]] is planned for 2009, after numerous delays arising from postwar issues.<ref>[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gCxzBs7WnDH6OQzRSa979jrLqptQ "UN, French troops to stay in ICoast till January to help stage polls"], AFP, 29 July 2008.</ref> In January 2006, supporters of President [[Laurent Gbagbo]] attacked the base of the United Nations peacekeepers after the [[Ivorian Popular Front]] withdrew from the [[First Ivorian Civil War|Ivorian Civil War]] peace process. About 1,000 protesters invaded the UN base at [[Guiglo]].<ref> {{Cite news | title = Ivorian party quits peace process | date = 17 January 2006 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4620838.stm |publisher=BBC News }}</ref> In the aftermath of the [[Côte d'Ivoire presidential election, 2010|2010 presidential election]], incumbent president Gbagbo said UNOCI troops should leave the country. However, the UN refused to do so, upon which Gbagbo's aides then said UN troops would be treated as "rebels" should they stay in the country, where they are protecting the internationally recognised though domestically disputed winner of the election.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12079552 |publisher=BBC News | title=Thousands flee Ivory Coast for Liberia amid poll crisis | date=26 December 2010}}</ref> On 30 March [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1975]] was issued which, in particular, urged all Ivorian parties to respect the will of the people and the election of Alassane Ouattara as President of Ivory Coast, as recognised by the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS), the African Union and the rest of the international community and reiterated that UNOCI could use "all necessary measures" in its mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat of attack. [[Second Ivorian Civil War|Heavy fighting broke out]] on 31 March 2011 as forces of [[Alassane Ouattara]] advanced on [[Abidjan]] from several directions. The United Nations peacekeepers took control of Abidjan's airport when Gbagbo's forces abandoned it and United Nations forces were also reported to be carrying out protective security operations in the city. The UN peacekeeping mission said its headquarters were fired on by Gbabgo's special forces on 31 March, and returned fire in an exchange lasting about three hours. UN convoys have also come under attack by Gbagbo loyalists four times since 31 March, with three peacekeepers injured in one of the attacks. The peacekeepers had exchanged fire with Gbagbo loyalists in several parts of the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/01/us-ivorycoast-fighting-idUSTRE72S1DR20110401|title=Heavy fighting after Ouattara troops reach Abidjan|date=31 March 2011|agency=Reuters }}</ref> [[File:After work session with the government of Côte d'Ivoire.JPG|thumb|Ms. [[Helen Clark]] UNDP Administrator during her visit in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire in September 2012, after a work session with the government of Côte d'Ivoire, appearing in this picture with the Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire Mr. [[Kablan Duncan]] and his cabinet, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative and Head of UNOCI Mr. [[Bert Koenders]], and the United Nations Interpreter Mr. [[Fernand Mikanga]]]] On 4 April 2011 UN and French helicopters also began firing on pro-Gbagbo military installations, a French military spokesman said the attacks were aimed at heavy artillery and armoured vehicles.<ref name="Adam Nossiter">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/world/africa/05ivory.html?_r=1|title=UN and France Strike Leader’s Forces in Ivory Coast|work=New York Times |date=4 April 2011|author=Adam Nossiter}}</ref> Eyewitnesses reported seeing two UN [[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24P]] attack helicopters firing missiles at the Akouédo military camp in Abidjan.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Battle rages in Ivory Coast, UN fires on Gbagbo bases|url=http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/battle-rages-in-ivory-coast-un-fires-on-gbagbo-bases|agency=Reuters |date=4 April 2011}}</ref> UN helicopters were flown by [[Ukrainian Ground Forces]] crews seconded to the United Nations.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ivory Coast: UN fire rockets at Laurent Gbagbo's palace |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/cotedivoire/8428272/Ivory-Coast-UN-fire-rockets-at-Laurent-Gbagbos-palace.html|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK|date=5 April 2011|first=Aislinn|last=Laing}}</ref> The attacks sparked protests by a Gbagbo spokesperson, who said that such actions were "illegal, illegitimate and unacceptable."<ref name="bbc heli"/> UN Secretary-General [[Ban Ki-moon]] defended the actions, however, saying that "the [UN] mission has taken this action in self-defence and to protect civilians."<ref name="bbc heli"/> He noted that Gbagbo’s forces had fired on United Nations patrols and attacked the organization’s headquarters in Abidjan “with heavy-caliber sniper fire as well as mortars and rocket-propelled grenades,” wounding four peacekeepers.<ref name="Adam Nossiter"/><ref name="bbc heli">{{Cite news | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12960308 | title=Ivory Coast: UN forces fire on pro-Gbagbo camp | accessdate=4 April 2011 | date=4 April 2011 |publisher=BBC News | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5xheKjXwC | archivedate=4 April 2011}}</ref> [[Russia]]n Foreign Minister [[Sergei Lavrov]] said that Russia intends to look into the legitimacy of the use of force by UN peacekeepers. The position of the Russian government was that any foreign interference would only lead to increasing violence.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/04/05/48510139.html| title=Russia to inquire into Cote d’Ivoire crisis| accessdate=7 April 2011 | date=5 April 2011 | publisher=The Voice of Russia|author=Yelizaveta Isakova}}</ref> On 9 April, pro-Gbagbo forces were reported to have fired on the Golf Hotel, where Ouattara was located.<ref name="bbc9april"/> The attackers reportedly used both sniper rifles and mortars; in response, UN peacekeepers fired on them.<ref name="bbc9april">{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13026923 | title=Ivory Coast: Gbagbo troops 'hit' Ouattara hotel HQ | accessdate=9 April 2011 | date=9 April 2011 |publisher=BBC News | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5xpH0QkWP | archivedate=9 April 2011}}</ref> The following day, United Nations and French forces carried out further air strikes against Gbagbo's remaining heavy weapons, using Mi-24 and [[Aérospatiale Gazelle]] attack helicopters. The attack was reported to have caused heavy damage to the presidential palace.<ref name="telegraph10april">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/cotedivoire/8441674/Ivory-Coast-UN-and-French-helicopter-gunships-attack-Laurent-Gbagbo-residence.html|title=Ivory Coast: UN and French helicopter gunships attack Laurent Gbagbo residence|last=Laing|first=Aislinn|date=10 April 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}</ref> On 11 April, Ouattara's forces stormed Gbagbo's residence and arrested him. The final assault was assisted by French forces using helicopters and armoured vehicles, although the actual capture was made by Ouattara's troops. Gbagbo, his wife, son and about 50 members of his entourage were captured unharmed and were taken to the Golf Hotel, Ouattara's headquarters, where they were placed under United Nations guard.<ref name="gbagbo-arrest">{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ivory-coast-strongman-arrested-after-french-forces-intervene/2011/04/11/AFOBaeKD_story.html | title=Ivory Coast strongman arrested after French forces intervene | accessdate=11 April 2011 | author=Lynch, Colum | newspaper=Washington Post |author2=William Branigin | date=12 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13039825|title=Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo arrested|date=11 April 2011|publisher=BBC News }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/French-Embassy-Forces-arrest-Ivory-Coast-s-Gbagbo-1330691.php#page-2|title=Ivory Coast standoff ends with strongman's capture|date=11 April 2011|agency=Associated Press }}</ref> == Casualties == A total of 72 UN personnel have died during UNOCI, including 54 UN peacekeeping troops (this may vary because UNOCI is still an ongoing peacekeeping mission).<ref>http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unoci/facts.shtml</ref> On 8 June 2012, seven Niger soldiers, eight locals and one or two Ivorian soldiers were killed in an attack near the village of [[Taï]] in the southwestern region of the country. As a result of the attack, thousands of villagers fled from the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/thousands-flee-after-un-deaths/story-fn6ck55c-1226390154520|title=Thousands flee after deadly raids|work=AFP|publisher=Courier Mail|date=10 June 2012|accessdate=11 June 2012}}</ref> The deaths were suspected to have occurred as a result of a border-crossing ambush by a [[Liberia]]n militia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/u-n-peacekeepers-local-ivorians-killed-suspected-liberians-124700640.html|author=Shawn Humphrey|title=U.N. Peacekeepers, Local Ivorians Killed by Suspected Liberians|work=Yahoo!|date=10 June 2012|accessdate=11 June 2012}}</ref> [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] [[Ban Ki-moon]] said he was "saddened and outraged" by the deaths. Ban urged the Ivorian government to "identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18376625|author=Staff|title=Ivory Coast ambush: Seven UN peacekeepers killed|work=BBC|date=8 June 2012|accessdate=11 June 2012}}</ref> Ivorian Defense minister [[Paul Koffi Koffi]] said that soldiers "must go to the other side of the border to establish a security zone."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/09/us-ivorycoast-peacekeepers-idUSBRE8580B220120609|author=Joe Bavier|title=Attack on U.N. came from Liberia, Ivory Coast says|work=Reuters|date=9 June 2012|accessdate=11 June 2012}}</ref> Liberian Information Minister [[Lewis Brown (Liberia)|Lewis Brown]] said that [[President of Liberia|president]] [[Ellen Johnson Sirleaf]] had ordered the immediate deployment of forces to the border in response to the attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/09/ivory-coast-attack_n_1583150.html|author=Jonathan Paye-Layleh|title=Ivory Coast Attacks: 7 U.N. Peacekeepers Killed In Ambush|work=AP|publisher=Huffington Post|date=9 June 2012|accessdate=11 June 2012}}</ref> ==Forces== On 30 April 2012 – 10,954 total uniformed personnel, including 9,404 troops, 200 military observers, 1,350 police, 400 international civilian personnel, 758 local staff and 290 [[United Nations Volunteers]]. The Force Commander is Major-General [[Hafiz Masroor Ahmed]] from [[Pakistan]]. The Police Commissioner is Major-General [[Jean Marie Bourry]] from France. And them's the facts. ===Force Commanders=== *[[Abdoulaye Fall]] ([[Senegal]]) : April 2004 - April 2006 *[[Fernand Marcel Amoussou]] ([[Benin]]) : April 2006 - March 2010 *[[Abdul Hafiz (Lieutenant General)|Abdul Hafiz]] ([[Bangladesh]]) : April 2010 - March 2011 *[[Gnakoudè Béréna]] ([[Togo]]) : March 2011 - May 2012 *[[Muhammad Iqbal Asi]] ([[Pakistan]]) : May 2012 – 19 May 2014 *[[Hafiz Masroor Ahmed]] ([[Pakistan]]) : 19 May 2014 – present<ref name="UNNews">{{cite web | url=http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2014/sga1470.doc.htm | title=Secretary-General Appoints Major General Hafiz Masroor Ahmed of Pakistan | publisher=United Nations | date=May 19, 2014 | accessdate=May 26, 2014}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unoci/ Official homepage of the mission] *{{Cite news|title=Did UN forces take sides in Ivory Coast?|author=Barbara Plett |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13004462|publisher=BBC |date=7 April 2011}} {{UN Peacekeeping Operations}} {{DEFAULTSORT:United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire}} [[Category:United Nations operations in Africa|Ivory Coast]] [[Category:History of Ivory Coast]] [[Category:United Nations Security Council mandates|1528]] [[Category:21st century in Ivory Coast]] [[Category:Pakistan military presence in other countries]]'