UN backs opposition Alassane Ouattara as Ivory Coast president

The UN security council issued a statement saying Ivory Coast opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara won the disputed presidential election, after three days of debate in which Russia expressed concern that the UN was exceeding its mandate.

9 December 2010, 12:00am

1 min read

Incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo is defying international pressure and continuing to cling to power, which led West African regional bloc Ecowas to suspend Ivory Coast.

In its statement, the 15-nation Security Council said it condemned "in the strongest terms any effort to subvert the popular will of the people" in Ivory Coast.

"In view of Ecowas' recognition of Alassane Ouattara as president-elect and representative of the freely expressed voice of the Ivorian people as proclaimed by the Independent Electoral Commission, members of the Security Council call on all stakeholders to respect the outcome of the election," it added.

According to diplomats, Russia had argued that supporting one candidate in the disputed poll exceeded the UN's mandate.

Diplomats said other members of the council had strongly urged Russia to drop its opposition, especially the three African states.

The Security Council's endorsement of Ouattara now leaves Gbagbo with almost no supporters in the outside world.

In Abidjan, both men have named their own Cabinets, heightening tension in the country.