The report, prepared by a UN-sponsored group of experts monitoring Cote d'Ivoire and submitted to the Security Council, said that ``despite an arms embargo, militia groups remain hea vily armed and are in control of natural resources in the north of the country''.
``The militias, which force rent payments from businesses and civilians in the volatile north, could resume hostilities and destabilise Cote d'Ivoire if the fragile government and politica l situation deteriorate and threaten the economic interests of the militias,'' the report said.
It also warned that harsh rhetoric targeting the militias could threaten any future political progress.
``It is also imperative to avoid an escalation of verbal confrontation, which would only divert attention from the issues that (really) concern (Ivorians),'' Hamadoun Toure, a spokesperson for the UN operation in Cote d'Ivoire, stated.
New York - 22/04/2009
Pana
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