Highlights

- UNOCI organizes public forum in Koumassi
- Inter-Mission Force Commanders' conference to be held in UNOCI

Information and sensitization

The Public Information Office today organized a public forum in the Abidjan district of Koumassi on the theme "The Population of Koumassi gets involved in the peace process in Cote d'Ivoire". The event was attended by about 500 people, most of whom were women. The UNOCI delegation was led by the Chief of Public Information who congratulated Ivorians on the progress made in the peace process, since the signing of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, but pointed out that there were still a number of challenges to overcome.

Military

UNOCI will tomorrow host the 15th conference of Force Commanders of UN peacekeeping missions in the West African sub-region. The Force Commanders from the UN Mission in Liberia, the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSL) and the UN Office in West Africa (UNOWA) will discuss security situation in their respective areas of responsibility.

DDR

The third phase of the demobilization process for ex-combatants from the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN) ended with 863 soldiers being registered.

Security

The Ivorian Ministry of Education has asked the Impartial Forces (UNOCI and Licorne) to help provide security and transportation for exams throughout the country from 6th to 29 June 2008. The Impartial Forces will work in collaboration with the local DRENs (Directions régionales de l'éducation nationale), police, gendarmerie, FAFN and the National Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FANCI).

Concerns have been expressed by the local authorities and UNOCI over the increasing number of crimes in the east and north of the Côte d'Ivoire, particularly in areas like Boko, Boundiali and Korhogo. UNPOL reported that, over the weekend, the dead body of a man, aged about 40, was found lying in the streets in Kongonou Village situated on the road between N'Gattadolikro and Bouaké, while, yesterday two vehicles belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were robbed on their way to Bouaké from Abidjan. The vehicles, carrying ten people were stopped by two men, one of them armed, about five kilometres from the FAFN checkpoint at Djebonoua (centre). The passengers were ordered to get out, after which the armed man shot at the tyres of both vehicles and the two men then stole 7 bags containing personal belongings. The bags were later recovered by FAFN soldiers and handed over to the ICRC in the presence of UNOCI Military Observers and PAKBATT. Both incidents are being investigated by the relevant law enforcement authorities. As a result of these incidents and others, UNOCI's Sector East Commander and senior civilian staff are planning to meet with the Forces Nouvelles authorities to discuss what preventive measures can be taken.

Arms embargo

Arms embargo inspections were successfully carried out by UNOCI peacekeepers at the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles' (FAFN) 52nd battalion in Dualla, Séguéla and at the Unit in Sangouine Nafoungolo, between Man and Danané (west).