The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Tuesday, 26 May 2015, arrived in the city of Gagnoa, situated at 275 km from Abidjan, in the Gôh Region west of Côte d'Ivoire, to take part in the 39th edition of United Nations Days (UN Days) which started on 25 May and is scheduled to end on 27 May 2015.



UN Days is a three-day information and sensitization activity organized by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and UN agencies to discuss with local government authorities, traditional leaders, elected representatives, traditional leaders, representatives of political parties as well as local people from the region to explain to them the UN Mission's mandate and activities and persuade them to make a commitment to working for social cohesion and national reconciliation in an effort to create the right conditions for the holding of peaceful elections in 2015.



In Gagnoa, the head of UNOCI held working sessions with local government officials, elected representatives, traditional chiefs and women's associations from the department. During these discussions, the different groups talked of the progress made so far in terms of reconciliation and social cohesion. They also discussed the remaining challenges with regard to respect for the rule of law, security, the need to involve everyone in the consolidation of social cohesion and national reconciliation as well as the return of refugees.



«People are beginning to live together peacefully and sharing", said the Prefect of Goh Region and Prefect of the Department of Gagnoa, Nzi Kanga Remi. «We never want to relive what happened in the past. Our duty, as elected officials is to do all we can to ensure that the forthcoming election does not become a source of crisis,», said a local official who represented elected officials from the region. The traditional chiefs for their part, said that they were « resolutely committed to the promotion of peace and social cohesion in the department of Gagnoa».



Mrs Mindaoudou encouraged her interlocuters "to break the infernal cycle» in order to «negotiate the election in October 2015». She urged them to consolidate social cohesion. She recalled the important role of traditional chief as partners of local government in bringing about peace in communities. The SRSG also told her audience that they could submit their proposals for training, development and conflict resolution to UNOCI and they would be assessed for possible help by the UN Mission and its different partners with the UN system.



As part of the event, several activities including a half marathon and five-a-side football matches with male and female teams were organized on Monday, 25 May 2015. Information stands were also organized by UNOCI sections and UN agencies to explain their mandate and activities in Côte d'Ivoire. In the evening shorts sensitization films produced by UNOCI on the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR), the fight to end HIV/AIDS, Conduct and Discipline, UN Mine Action Service and UN Volunteers.



Today, 26 May started with a public discussion forum with ex-combatants and youths as part of the sensitisation campaign of the National Authority for DDR (ADDR) supported by UNOCI's DDR Division. In addition to the forum, six workshops led by different UNOCI sections were held with the Forces Républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI), traditional chiefs, community and religious leaders, women's and youth associations as well as with secondary school teachers. The Special Representative also went to Bayota and Ouragahio as part of her visit to the area. She will take part in an exchange forum with local people on Wednesday, 27 May 2015.