The South African Government is implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 1975 (2011), which was adopted with immediate effect on Wednesday, 30 March 2011.
The resolution requires that financial institutions in member countries freeze the funds, other financial assets and economic resources of all persons who pose a threat to the peace and national reconciliation process in Côte d’Ivoire. It provides for targeted financial and travel measures against: Laurent Gbagbo, the former President of Côte d’Ivoire; Simone Gbagbo, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Group of the Ivoirian Popular Front (FPI); Désiré Tagro, the Secretary-General in Gbagbo’s presidency; Pascal Affi N’Guessan, Chairman of the FPI; and Alcide Djédjé, Advisor to Gbagbo.
Financial institutions should note that the resolution applies to the abovementioned individuals listed in Annex 1 of the Resolution and also to the funds, other financial assets and economic resources owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the designated persons in an earlier UNSC Resolution, namely in paragraphs 9 and 11 of UNSC Resolution 1572 (2004).
Accordingly, I have instructed the Financial Intelligence Centre to caution financial institutions not to become involved in any transactions or business relationships which may facilitate the provision of funds to persons or entities listed pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1975 as amplified by paragraphs 9 and 11 of UNSC Resolution 1572 (2004). In addition the South African Reserve Bank has indicated it will use the measures available to it to prevent any such funds from leaving the country.
The South African Government has expressed its deep concern for the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and called upon the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to support efforts to find a political solution to the violence and conflict in that country.
