Abuja - Nigeria — The Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, meeting in Abuja from 23 to 24 March 2011 at its 39th Ordinary Summit;

Having exhaustively reviewed the rapidly deteriorating political, security and humanitarian situation in Côte d'Ivoire provoked by the disputed run-off presidential election of 28 November 2010;

Firmly condemning the wanton violence against civilians leading to unacceptable loss of life and property; Deploring the deliberate targeting of innocent Ivorians, ECOWAS citizens and other foreigners, and also the attacks on personnel of the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire;

Deeply concerned by the large waves of refugees fleeing across borders and the swelling colonies of internally displaced persons;

Convinced that the current situation is a direct consequence of the refusal of the out-going President, Mr. Laurent Gbagbo, to cede power to Mr. Alassane Ouattara, the universally recognized winner of the 28 November 2010 election; Recognizing that the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire has now become a regional humanitarian emergency;

Recalling the Decisions of the Extraordinary Summits of the Authority of 7 and 24 December 2010, particularly regarding paragraph 10 of the latter, which states: "In the event that Mr. Gbagbo fails to heed (the) immutable demand of ECOWAS (to hand over power), the Community would be left with no alternative but to take other measures, including the use of legitimate force, to achieve the goals of the Ivorian people";

Bearing in mind that these Decisions have been endorsed by the African Union and the United Nations;

Firmly decides that the time has come to enforce its Decisions of 7 and 24 December 2010 in order to protect life and to ensure the transfer of the reins of power to Mr. Alassane Ouattara without any further delay. To this end, requests the UN Security Council to authorise the immediate implementation of the Authority Decisions of December 2010. In this context, requests the United Nations Security Council to strengthen the mandate of the United Nations' Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), enabling the Mission to use all necessary means to protect life and property, and to facilitate the immediate transfer of power to Mr. Alassane Ouattara;

Also requests the United Nations Security Council to adopt more stringent international targeted sanctions against Mr. Laurent Gbagbo and his associates;

Directs the President of the ECOWAS Commission to explore all avenues of providing the Government of Mr. Alassane Ouattara all the necessary legal and diplomatic means to exercise its authority, including admitting the Government to all meetings of ECOWAS. Urges all Member States of ECOWAS to facilitate the accreditation of Ambassadors and other representatives of Mr. Alassane Ouattara to their countries;

Further directs the President of the ECOWAS Commission to intensify contingency plans to meet all eventualities, including the provision of humanitarian corridors and the protection of civilians. Instructs the President of the ECOWAS Commission to take all appropriate measures to strengthen the ECOWAS presence in Côte d'Ivoire to facilitate the discharge of the responsibilities of the Community;

Urges the UN to request the international Community to ensure an enabling environment for the population and the UN Mission to go about their duties without any hindrance, and provide protection and welfare to the refugees and internally displaced persons generated by the crisis;

Finally, invites the African Union Commission to urgently implement the Decisions of the AU Peace and Security Council of 10 March 2011 on Côte d'Ivoire by despatching without delay the High Representative to the country and establishing the joint AU-ECOWAS facilitation team to ensure the immediate transfer of power to Mr. Alassane Ouattara. The Authority decides to remain seized with the situation in Côte d'Ivoire.