Companies exporting from Côte d’Ivoire must publish information on taxes paid into the country’s cocoa sector, and respect the temporary ban on exports announced this week by president-elect Alassane Ouattara, said Global Witness today. The embargo comes amid fears that the incumbent Laurent Gbagbo – who refuses to recognise Ouattara’s November election victory – is using cocoa money to preserve his grip on power...Daniel Balint-Kurti, Campaigner at Global Witness [said] “Cocoa taxes have long been a major source of funds for [Gbagbo's] regime, and there’s a danger money stolen from the sector is being used to fund the militias now terrorising parts of the population.” In December 2010, Global Witness wrote to several cocoa companies to make them aware of our concerns that their payments could be diverted and ask what policies they have in place to prevent this. We are awaiting their reply. "Companies should now respect the ban and immediately publish the taxes and levies they have paid..." added Balint-Kurti.