Côte d’Ivoire Rough Diamond Export Sanctions Extended

(IDEX Online News) – The United Nations' Security Council on Thursday extended the sanctions imposed on Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) for another year. The sanctions include exports of rough diamonds.

According to the unanimously adopted resolution, the arms embargo was changed in light of the need for weapons and ammunition to train and equip the country’s security forces.

The Council also extended the mandate of the Group of Experts formed to monitor the arms embargo.

The sanctions extended until 30 April 2013 include targeted measures on a number of individuals, including former president Laurent Gbagbo.

In 2011 the Council it imposed financial and travel measures against Gbagbo and a number of associates after his refusal to leave office following his election defeat to current President Alassane Ouattara.

The Council first imposed the embargo in 2004 after a civil war in 2002 split the country into a rebel-held north and a Government-controlled south.