COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL on the opening of consultations with Côte d'Ivoire under Article 366a of the Lomé Convention

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL

on the opening of consultations with Côte d'Ivoire under Article 366a of the Lomé Convention

Following a mutiny in Abidjan in the night of 22/23 December, which led to a coup d'état in Côte d'Ivoire, General Guéï, the former Army Chief of Staff, announced the following day that he was deposing the Head of State and dissolving the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court.

On 25 December it was announced at a press conference that a national committee of public safety (Comité National de Salut Public - CNPS) composed of officers from different branches was being set up with General Guéï at its head.

The stated objectives of the CNPS are:

- to ensure the security of people and property,

- to restore the authority of the state,

- to create the conditions necessary for true democracy and the organisation of free, fair and transparent elections, and

- to enter into wide-ranging consultations with the political parties with a view to quickly setting up a government of national unity.

The coup was immediately condemned by Senegal, Nigeria and South Africa as well as the UN Secretary-General, ECOWAS and the OAU.

Canada and the US also condemned the coup and suspended aid. France and the UK immediately issued a statement calling for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law.

General Guéï said that he was about to form a government with four ministerial portfolios, defence, security, the interior and foreign affairs, in military hands.

It appears political parties have also been asked to joint the government.

In view of the above and in application of Articles 5 and 366a of the Lomé Convention, the Commission is proposing to the Council that:

the ACP Party be invited to hold consultations with a view to assessing the situation in detail and, if necessary, remedying it, as set out in the letter annexed.

The aim of the consultations is to underline the importance the EU attaches to respect for the essential elements set out in Article 5 of the Lomé Convention and to find out what Côte d'Ivoire intends to do about it.

In the meantime, no new financial commitment will be made for Côte d'Ivoire, apart from possible humanitarian projects or projects of direct benefit to the poorest sections of the population.

ANNEX

Brussels,

DRAFT

To the President of the National Committee of Public Safety

Sir,

In a statement of 30 December 1999 the European Union deplored the recent coup d'etat in Côte d'Ivoire and the dissolution of the elected assembly and government, and asked the military authorities to set a timetable for a rapid return to democracy.

Pursuant to Article 366a of the Lomé Convention and the common provisions of paragraph 2 of the joint declaration on Article 366a, I have the honour to invite Côte d'Ivoire to enter into consultations with a view to assessing the situation in detail and, if necessary, remedying it.

I suggest that these consultations take place on ... in Brussels in the premises of the Council of the European Union.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Council For the Commission

Copies: Chairman of the Committee of ACP Ambassadors

Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire to the European Union

Secretary-General of the ACP Group of States