I. Introduction
1 . The present report is submitted pursuant to paragraph 22 of Security Council resolution 2062 (2012), by which the Security Council requested me to undertake an assessment of the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and to provide a special report no later than 31 March 2013 with recommendations on benchmarks to measure and track progress towards the achievement of long-term stability in Côte d’Ivoire; recommendations on possible adjustments in the structure and strength of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI); options to reinforce inter-mission cooperation arrangements between UNOCI and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL); and an update on the implementation of the UNOCI protection of civilians strategy.
II. Findings of the assessment mission
2 . A multidisciplinary assessment mission led by the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Edmond Mulet, visited Côte d’Ivoire from 4 to 16 February. The team consulted with a wide range of stakeholders including: President Alassane Dramane Ouattara and members of the Government; the leadership of the national armed forces, the police and the gendarmerie; the President of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission; representatives of political parties and civil society; international partners; and UNOCI, UNMIL and the United Nations country teams in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia. The team visited locations throughout the country and conducted an assessment on both sides of the Ivorian border with Liberia. The head of the assessment mission also visited Monrovia and Accra to consult national authorities.