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RAPAPORT... Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo, whose military forces control the south of the country, and Forces Nouvelles Secretary-General Guillaume Soro, who holds the north, met in neighboring Burkina Faso to sign an agreement, which addresses the issues that have divided the country for more than four years.
"Peace is strongly possible in Côte d'Ivoire and the New Forces...are committed to implement the accord that has been signed in a spirit of peace and reconciliation," Soro said after the agreement was signed.
United Nation's Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon acknowledged the agreement now provides for identification of the population, disarmament, and restructuring of the armed forces, restoration of state authority throughout the country, reunification of the country, and the preparation of the voters list in order to ensure credible, free, and fair elections.
Ki-Moon said the United Nations was ready to assist the leaders in the implementation of the agreement.
President Gbagbo said the accord would bring peace. "It is peace through Africans and I am proud of it because all the problems in Africa can find a solution here on the continent."
The agreement noted, per Security Council resolution 1721 (November 2006,) that the nation would hold a free, open, fair and transparent election by October 31, 2007 at the latest.
“The Secretary-General stresses that this agreement was drawn up by the Ivorian leaders themselves, which places on them a special responsibility to implement it in full and in good faith,” Ki-moon's statement read.
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