The United Nations is planning to add 2,000 more troops to its 9,000-strong peacekeeping mission in Cote d’Ivoire, where a political crisis has ensued following President Laurent Gbagbo’s refusal to hand over power to Alassane Ouattara. United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon is expected to send a request to the Security Council this week for additional peacekeepers in the African nation.
The U.S. Treasury Department has barred U.S. citizens from entering into financial dealings with Gbago, Reuters reports.
“Today’s designation will isolate him and his inner circle from the world’s financial system and underscore the desire of the international community that he step down,” said Adam Szubin, director of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.