Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
25 October 2000
The South African government has taken note of the recent events in Cote d’ Ivoire and the proclamation of General Guei’s electoral victory following the presidential elections held on Sunday October 22.
We regret that the elections were held in circumstances which excluded major parties, resulting in a very low voter turn out on Sunday. These factors, together with the dissolution of the National Electoral Commission on Tuesday 24 October before the Commission was able to announce the results of the election, in our view severely compromise the legitimacy and result of the election.
The South African government further notes with concern that there has been loss of life and injuries to persons during the ensuing political conflicts around the country, and that a curfew and state of emergency were called last night. The South African government calls on all leadership in Cote d’ Ivoire, and particularly on General Guei, to search for a peaceful and just solution to the political polarisation in Cote d’Ivoire. The South African government considers that the recent events in Cote d’Ivoire run contrary to the spririt of the agreement reached between party political leaders and regional leaders in Yamoussoukro in August this year, and represent a total rejection of the OAU proposals made in September aimed at reaching an inclusive, democratic settlement.
Given that Cote d’Ivoire is an essential economic pole in West Africa, its political stability is crucial for that subregion and for Africa as a whole and a hasty solution must be found by all stakeholders to normalise the situation in that country.
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