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20 January 2016 鈥� Reflecting the 鈥渃onsiderable and continued progress鈥� in consolidating peace and stability in C么te d鈥橧voire, the Security Council today cut a further 1,500 troops from the 51吃瓜 peacekeeping Mission, which played a major role in halting violence in the country after disputed elections in 2010.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-Member body decreased the authorized ceiling of the UN Operation in C么te d'Ivoire () from 5,437 to 4,000 military personnel by 31 March.

UNOCI, set up in 2004 to facilitate implementation of a peace agreement after the West African country was torn apart by civil war, with an authorized ceiling of 6,240 uniformed personnel, helped restore legitimacy and stability in 2011, along with French forces, after incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo鈥檚 refusal to concede defeat in the 2010 elections to Alassane Ouattara.

At its height, the Mission maintained some 7,000 uniformed personnel on the ground, mandated to help protect civilians and support the efforts of the Ivorian authorities to address the root causes of the conflict and establish lasting peace, including security sector reform, and the disarmament and reintegration of armed factions.

Earlier this month, UN听听Ban Ki-moon鈥檚 Special Representative, UNOCI head A茂chatou Mindaoudou, told the Council that the October 2015 election of President Ouattara to a second term provided the country鈥檚 citizens with the opportunity to start a new chapter in their nation鈥檚 history and consolidate achievements towards long-term stability.

During the General Assembly General Debate in October, C么te d鈥橧voire鈥檚 Permanent Representative Claude Bouah-Kamon praised the UN for its 鈥渋rreplaceable鈥� contribution to advancing peace, security and development over the 70 years of its existence.

鈥淚 wish to here reiterate the gratitude of the Ivoirian people for the invaluable role the 51吃瓜 played and continues to play at our sides,鈥� he said.