Statement by NSC Spokesman Mike Hammer on the elections in Côte d’Ivoire

The United States calls on all parties to respect the results of Côte d’Ivoire’s November 28 election as announced today by the Independent Electoral Commission.  Those provisional results have declared Alassane Ouattara the winner over incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo.  Credible, accredited electoral observers have characterized the balloting as free and fair, and no party should be allowed to obstruct further the electoral process.

After a decade of waiting, the people of Côte d’Ivoire have an opportunity to move forward along a democratic, rule-governed path.  They have the strong support of the United States.  Responsibility for allowing the democratic process to unfold peacefully and transparently falls squarely on the shoulders of Côte d’Ivoire’s leadership.  The United States condemns acts of violence and intimidation intended to derail the democratic process and urges all parties to refrain from violence and incendiary rhetoric.