On 15 November 2004 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1572 established an arms embargo against Côte d'Ivoire. It was lifted on 28 April 2016. The embargo was implemented by the EU from December 2004. The EU lifted its embargo on 9 June 2016.
Following a modification of the UN arms embargo on Côte d'Ivoire in October 2010 the EU modified its sanctions in Council Decision 2010/656/CFSP to allow the sale, supply, transfer or export of non-lethal military equipment intended solely to enable the security forces of Côte d’Ivoire to use only appropriate and proportionate force while maintaining public order,