The European Union, France and Japan contributed USD43 million to ensure that Ivory Coast’s scheduled November elections will push through. No event of such kind took place over the last six years due to a two-year civil war that divided the already troubled African nation in two. But the situation has changed recently, with both sides rallying round the holding of the polls. “I am reassured by the progress the Ivorian parties have made … this progress marks a good start on the long and difficult road to the crucial November 30 election,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, whose organization will manage the funds. Ivory Coast prime minister Guillaume Soro welcomed the gesture and assured the donors that officials are taking the necessary steps to guarantee the success of the upcoming elections.
Source: Donors unblock USD43 million for Ivory Coast polls (Reuters)
