Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Appointment of Prime Minister in Côte d'Ivoire

December 6, 2005

Japan welcomes the decision announced on December 4 that Mr. Charles Konan Banny, Governor of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), would be the new prime minister of Côte d'Ivoire.
Japan highly values the efforts made by H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria and the current Chairperson of the African Union (AU), H.E. Mr. Mamadou Tandja, President of Niger and current Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Mr. Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa and the AU mediator, to make this decision possible.
Japan strongly hopes that Prime Minister Banny, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1633, will fully exercise authority granted to him to maintain public order, resume administration, implement demilitarization and conduct a free, fair and open presidential election at an early date, and also that all parties concerned will cooperate with the new prime minister, by taking necessary actions toward peaceful resolution of the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire.

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