The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) was established by the Security Council on 4 April 2004 in accordance with resolution 1528 (2004). Under the UNOCI resolution, the powers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) force were transferred and the United Nations Mission in Côte d'Ivoire (MINUCI) - The political mission established by the Security Council in May 2003.

Following the 2010 presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire and the subsequent political crisis, UNOCI continued to remain in the country to protect civilians, assist in the provision of humanitarian assistance, support the Ivorian Government in the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants, as well as human rights assistance.

The Security Council extended the mandate of UNOCI for a final period until June 30, 2017 by its resolution 2284 (2016) of 28 April 2016. UNOCI completed its mandate on June 30, 2017 after 13 years in Côte d'Ivoire.

For Kazakh military observers, this mission was the first carried out in accordance with Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Despite the difficult and dangerous situation in this African country, the Republic of Kazakhstan sent three of its officers Akylbay Kusainov, Rustem Suleimenov and Asylkhan Amangaliuly.