Odiénné, 17 August 2008...The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, expressed satisfaction on Sunday, following his visit to the northwestern town of Odiénné. The head of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) was in the capital of the Denguélé Region to provide information on and promote UNOCI's 1000 Micro-projects initiative for ex-combatants and young people at risk, which he launched on 14 August in Bouaké.

Administrative authorities, local elected officials, religious leaders, representatives of the Forces Nouvelles and civil society flocked to the meeting to learn more about the initiative. They welcomed the idea of the 1000 micro-projects, created to help ex-combatants from the Forces Nouvelles, demobilized members of self-defense groups and young people at risk to reintegrate into local communities.

On arriving in the area, the Special Representative paid a courtesy call on its traditional chief, Aladji Touré Gaoussou. The UNOCI head explained that he hoped the local authorities in and around Odiénné would support and help make the micro-projects a success. He described the need to end the suffering of the population in this region of the country where the effects of the crisis have taken a heavy toll over the past years and he reminded local authorities of UNOCI's mandate to support efforts to restore lasting peace to the country. Reacting to concerns voiced by his audience, he expressed the conviction that in the coming months the problem of identification would be settled. "We are now into the final stretch. The Government of Côte d'Ivoire has contracted the Sagem company, and the UN has helped to transport material" for the identification process, Mr. Choi reassured his audience.

He added that UNOCI, through its 1000 Micro-projects initiative, aimed to ensure that there would be a secure environment in which credible elections could take place. He stated that these projects would give ex-combatants the opportunity to raise animals instead holding-up cars. During a working session with the regional préfet, Soro Kayaha Jérôme, and his deputies, Mr Choi expressed optimism with regard to the polls: "By working together we will succeed in meeting the 30 November deadline for the elections," he stated.

This optimism was shared by the residents of Odiénné and other parts of the Northwest who participated in the meeting at the Town Hall. Participants expressed interest in the micro-projects and explained some of the work they had already undertaken to prepare ex-fighters for reinsertion into their communities. "We have promoted the idea of these projects and we have already explained to the majority of ex-combatants how they can be used, and 99 out of 100 are waiting to sign up to begin a project," explained Koné Fanda, the representative of the Forces Nouvelles from Touba, 200 km south of Odienne. He went on to thank UNOCI and the Special Representative for providing detailed explanations with regard to eligibility for the projects.

In light of the severe poverty in this remote region, a representative of a local non-governmental organization, Mr. Mamadou Konaté, suggested that a number of easy-to-implement projects be created so that ex-fighters could quickly begin productive, income-generating activities. Special Representative Choi appreciated his contribution and stated that he would keep in mind the needs of the local population when projects were distributed in this region. "I am very satisfied and encouraged. I will study the possibility of making Odiénné a testing ground for the Quick Impact Projects (from UNOCI), since I am aware of the enormous needs that this region of the country has," he stated.

This meeting finished with a theatre group sensitizing the population about the coming elections, emphasing the need for politicians to accept election results.