Speaker, the AU's Peace and Security Council issued a communiqu on the findings of the high-level panel on Cte d'Ivoire on 10 March after its 265th meeting in Addis Ababa. The Council reaffirmed all its previous decisions on the post-electoral crisis facing Cte d'Ivoire since the second round of the presidential elections on 28 November 2010.
It recognised Mr Alassane Ouattara as the winner of the presidential elections in the Republic of Cte d'Ivoire. South Africa fully supports the position taken by the AU on 10 March, namely that Mr Ouattara is recognised as the winner. This is a reaffirmation of the position of the Economic Community of West African States, Ecowas. We also support the AU's quest to find a peaceful political solution to the current crisis in Cte d'Ivoire. We are all of one mind on the way forward towards a sustainable political solution in that country. I thank you.