Continuing his meetings with national and international authorities as part of the strategic review of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Assistant Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations, El Ghassim Wane, accompanied by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Aïchatou Mindaoudou, held discussions with the Minister delegated to the Defence, Alain Richard Donwahi, on Thursday 18 February 2016.



The two officials discussed the current security situation, the tasks that are yet to be accomplished as well as the UNOCI-Ministry of Defence partnership to support the consolidation of the progress made so far in Côte d'Ivoire.





The United Nations accompanying role will continue in line with the different modalities that are to be determined



Speaking at the end of the meeting, the Assistant Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations, explained : « This strategic review mission was mandated by the United Nations Security Council as part of a possible closure of the UN Mission Côte d'Ivoire », adding that « the accompanying role of the United Nations as an Organisation will continue, according to the different modalities that will be determined in collaboration with the Ivorian authorities, based on the decision that will be made by the United Nations Security Council ».



For his part, Minister Donwahi pleaded for a « gradual and measured » withdrawal of UNOCI so that the recovery is maintained.