20 Septmber 2002
The South African Government has noted with regret the reports of the significant loss of life in Abidjan and other parts of the country, following the attempted coup d'etat in Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday, 19 September 2002.
The South African Government deplores the killings that represent a set-back to the relative stability that Côte d'Ivoire had managed to achieve recently, and wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the government and people of Côte d'Ivoire in this regard.
It is the South African Government's hope that the crisis can be resolved without further loss of life, and the South African Government therefore appeals to all parties in the conflict to maintain calm and to respect law and order.
At a time when the continent is making great strides towards achieving its political and economic potential, as evidenced by the NEPAD and by the establishment of the African Union, it is regrettable if regressions are evidenced in any country on the continent.
In this regard, the South African Government also wishes to remind the people of Côte d'Ivoire that the African Union will not accept unconstitutional changes of government in that country or anywhere else on the continent. The principles of the African Union concerning the respect for constitutional government are clear and represent the will of the African continent to progress in a spirit of dignity and accountability.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs