The Assistant Secretary-General for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations El Ghassim Wane, on Thursday, 18 February 2016, had discussions with the Minister of the Interior and Security, Hamed Bakayoko. The two personalities talked about the remarkable progress made in the security situation in Côte d'Ivoire, the remaining challenges and the need to consolidate achievements.



Speaking after the encounter, ASG El Ghassim Wane said « The meeting was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable progress and the visible evidence of that progress made by Côte d'Ivoire during the past few years". He added: "We reviewed the challenges that remain, including consolidating the achievements and identifying possible ways in the United Nations can continue its accompanying role in light of the closure of UNOCI as envisaged by the United Nations Security Council".





« The withdrawal of the Mission must be done without rendering the current stability fragile »



The Minister of the Interior, Hamed Bakayoko, for his part, welcomed «the close cooperation between the Ivorian Government and the United Nations Mission in Côte d'Ivoire », noting that there were still "specific areas that need to be strengthened, especially with regard to security and national reconciliation ». He also raised the issue of forthcoming elections in Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia as well as the new threats in the sub-region. « Stability in Côte d'Ivoire means stability in the sub-region", the Minister insisted, adding that withdrawal of the UN Mission should be done with rendering the current stability fragile.



The Assistant Secrertary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations arrived in Côte d'Ivoire on 17 February 2016. He then proceeded to lead the United Nations Strategic Review Mission, which had arrived in Abidjan a week earlier, in several meetings with national and international authorities. The aim of the strategic review mission, which is expected to end on 20 February 2016, is to review the situation of the United Nations Operation Côte d'Ivoire based on extensive consultations with all interested parties and make recommendations to the United Nations Security Council.