- Identification and voter registration launch confirms irreversibility of electoral process, says SRSG
- Committees to assess microprojects for ex-combatants established in nine cities

Electoral process

The Special Representative of the UN of the Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, declared in Yamoussoukro today that the launch of the identification and voter registration operation in Côte d'Ivoire has confirmed the irreversibility of the electoral process. Mr. Choi, who was speaking at the official launch, presided over by the Head of State, Laurent Gbagbo said that the launching of the operation presents an historic opportunity for Ivorians to resolve the identification issue once and for all. He stressed that the international community, including the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) with its certification mandate, remain firmly committed to the electoral process, and is determined to continue and to reinforce its support to the Ivorian people until the end of the peace process. The operation was simultaneously launched at Dabou Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand Bassam, Man and Bouna in addition to Yamoussoukro.

1000 microprojects

In connection with the 1000 microprojects initiative launched by UNOCI on 14 August 2008, committees to identify projects and assess their viability have been established in Bouaké, Séguéla, Korhogo, Ferkéssédougou, Bouna, Man, Daloa and Guiglo with the aim of implementing at least ten microprojects in each location by the end of September 2008. In the Korhogo area, about 4400 ex-combatants from the area have already been registered for the microprojects. Meanwhile, 11364 combatants have been "demobilized" from the Armed forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN), of which 7598 have chosen reintegration while 3766 are to join the new united security forces

Arms embargo

UNOCI peacekeepers on 12 September 2008 carried out arms embargo inspections at the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles' (FAFN) operational command centre in Bouaké, at its Unit in Kadarvogo, near Ferkessedougou and at the National Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire's (FANCI) Gendarmerie Brigade in Guitry, near Gagnoa (south west) .

Human Rights

On 11 September 2008, the Human Rights Regional Office in Bondoukou, together with the Child Protection Section and the Public Information Office jointly organized a human rights awareness workshop for 60 Nigerien, Burkinabé and Ghanaian immigrants and members of the indigenous Abron community in the sous-préfecture of Sapli-Sepongo, situated 35 km from Bondoukou. Sapli and Sepongo have experienced several disputes over land issues since 2000. After explaining the basic principles of human rights, the human rights officers urged the villagers to set aside their differences and try to resolve their disputes through peaceful means.