FINAL COMMUNIQUE ON THE EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE AUTHORITY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT ON COTE D'IVOIRE

EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE AUTHORITY OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT ON COTE D'IVOIRE     Abuja, 7 December 2010    FINAL COMMUNIQUE   1.	Following the unexpected turn of events after the second round of the  Presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire, an Extraordinary Session of the  Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West  African States (ECOWAS) was held on 7 December 2010 in Abuja, Federal Republic  of Nigeria, under the Chairmanship of His Excellency Dr Goodluck Ebele  Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Chairman of the  ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.  2.	The following Heads of State and Government or their duly accredited  representatives were present at this Session:  •	H.E. Blaise COMPAORE, President of the Faso •	H.E. Prof. John Evans ATTA-MILLS, President of the Republic of Ghana •	H.E. Ellen JOHNSON-SIRLEAF, President of the Republic of Liberia •	H.E. Amadou Toumani TOURE, President of the Republic of Mali •	H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele JONATHAN, President of the Federal Republic of  Nigeria  •	H.E. Maître Abdoulaye WADE, President of the Republic of Senegal •	H.E. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Togolese Republic •	H. E. Mr. Francisco Pereira da VEIGA	, Ambassador of Cape Verde in  Senegal representing the President of the Republic of Cape Verde   •	Mr. Goundé Désiré ADADJA, Honourable Minister of Communication and  Information Technology representing the President of the Republic of Benin  •	Hon. Lamin Kaba BAJO, Minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and  National Assembly Matters representing the President of the Republic of the  Gambia  •	H.E. Mr. Henry O. MACAULEY, High Commissioner of the Republic of  Sierra Leone to Nigeria representing the President of the Republic of Sierra  Leone   3.	H.E. Young-Jin CHOI, Special Representative of the Secretary-General  of the United Nations in Cote d'Ivoire and Mr. Mahama Ouedraogo,  representative of the President of the African Union Commission also attended  this Session as Observers.  4.	During their deliberations, the Heads of State and Government reviewed  the political and security situation arising from the declaration of the  results of the second round of the Presidential elections in Cote d'Ivoire.  The Authority also was briefed by the Special Representative of the Secretary- General of the United Nations in Cote d'Ivoire. 5.	After a thorough review of the situation, the Authority expressed deep  concern over the threats posed to the success of the peace process leading to  a lasting solution to the Ivorian crisis.   6.	Reaffirming their commitment to the relevant provisions and principles  of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, the Heads of State  and Government condemned in strong terms, the attempt to go against the will  of the Ivorian people as freely expressed on 28 November 2010.   7.	In order to protect the legitimacy of the electoral process, the  Summit endorsed the results declared by the Independent Electoral Commission  and certified by the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the  United Nations in Cote d'Ivoire in accordance with Resolution 1765 of the  United Nations Security Council, dated 16 July 2007. In this regard, the Heads  of State and Government recognized Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara as President- elect of Cote d'Ivoire, and consequently, representative of the freely  expressed voice of the Ivorian People.  8.	The Summit called on Mr. Laurent Gbagbo to abide by the results of the  second round of Presidential elections as certified by UNOCI, and to yield  power without delay, in the best interest of the Ivorian People.  9.	The Summit decided to apply the provisions of Article 45 of the ECOWAS  Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance relating to the imposition of  sanctions on Cote d'Ivoire, including the suspension from all ECOWAS decision- making bodies until further notice.   10.	The Authority expressed appreciation to the United Nations Operations  in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) for its key role in the conduct of the elections  under democratically acceptable conditions. In particular, the Authority  commended the efforts of the international community to ensure the rapid and  definitive resolution of the crisis.   11.	The Heads of State and Government launched an urgent appeal to all  Ivorians, political and administrative bodies at all levels of authority, to  respect the rights and integrity of Ivorians, nationals of the other ECOWAS  Member States, and of all foreigners within the territory of the Republic of  Cote d'Ivoire, and to guarantee their security.  12.	The Authority of Heads of State and Government commended His  Excellency Blaise Compaore, President of the Faso, and Facilitator of inter- Ivoirian dialogue, for his unremitting efforts and proactive diplomatic  contributions to the Ivorian peace process.    13.	The Heads of State and Government expressed their gratitude to His  Excellency Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of  Nigeria, for his leadership role and personal involvement in the entrenchment  of democracy and good governance in Cote d'Ivoire and in the West African  region as a whole.  14.	The Heads of State and Government expressed their sincere appreciation  to the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the  generous hospitality accorded them in the finest African tradition, during  their stay in Abuja, and for the excellent facilities placed at their disposal  to ensure the success of this Extraordinary Summit.   Done at Abuja, this 7th day of December, 2010  THE AUTHORITY