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March 31, 2011

U.N. Backs Sanctions on Gbagbo 
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The U.N. Security Council has voted to impose sanctions on embattled
Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo and his inner circle. In a unanimous
vote on Wednesday, the council authorized travel restrictions and an
asset freeze on Gbagbo, his wife, and three close associates. The U.S.
Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, hailed the vote.

Susan Rice: "Mr. Gbagbo and his supporters can continue to cling to
power which will only lead to more innocent civilians being wounded and
killed and more diplomatic and economic isolation, of Mr. Gbagbo and his
followers can finally reject violence and respect the will of the
Ivorian people. If this path is chosen, Ivorians can reclaim their
country and rebuild a vibrant economy that was once the admiration of
all of Africa."

The move comes amidst ongoing clashes between Gbagbo's forces and those
backing Ivory Coast’s internationally-recognized president, Alassane
Ouatarra. Forces loyal to Ouatarra have seized control of the the
nation’s administrative capital, Yamoussoukro, and the cocoa-exporting
port of San Pedro. The United Nations estimates at least 462 people have
died and more than one million have been displaced since the fighting
began.



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