25 December 1999
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
The Governments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa have learnt with great shock and dismay of the Military take-over of Government that has just occurred in the Republic of Cote d'ivoire. We call for the immediate restoration of the democratically elected government of President Henri Konan Bedie.
Nigeria and South Africa view the present development with considerable regret as it constitutes a major set-back to the democratic process in Cote d'ivoire, a country traditionally regarded as a bastion of peace and stability. In particular, we view with consternation the current situation which undermines peace and security within our continent and the sub-region, the goal to which we remain committed and have worked for relentlessly over the years.
The Military coup in Cote d'ivoire runs counter to the universal trend towards greater democratisation of governance and the advancement of the rule of law. It is also a negation of the Declaration adopted at the 35th OAU Summit in Algiers in July, 1999 which denounced and rejected any undemocratic change of Government on the continent. We therefore, urge all states within the international community to condemn in the strongest of terms possible this illegal and unacceptable take-over of Government in Cote d'Ivoire. We urge that steps be taken by the international community, especially the OAU and countries of the sub-region, that will compel the immediate restoration of constitutional rule in that country.
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
ABUJA AND Pretoria
25 DECEMBER 1999