People living in Banco encampment in the sous-prefecture of Guiglo, 520 km in the west of Côte d'Ivoire, on Friday, 4 December 2015, encountered the sensitization caravan of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) known as ONUCI Tour. They talked about the consolidation of national reconciliation, social cohesion and peace.



The village, which has 3000 residents from diverse communities and various cultural backgrounds is led by a woman. That particularity is a source of satisfaction for the residents of Banco encampment.



Speaking at the meeting, the youth president, Metchoué Diomandé said that they were pleased to welcome UNOCI for the first time to their encampment. "We assure you that the twelve Ivorian and foreign communities here live together in peace," he said.



For their part, the officials from UNOCI's Public Information, Human Rights and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) sections, as well as the Legal Aid Clinic in Guiglo explained their mandates and activities to participants at the meeting.



The sensitization session was an opportunity for UN officials to talk about the importance of respecting the customs and traditions of the different communities. Issues such as birth registration, disarmament for the preservation of peace and security, the fight against gender-based violence, early pregnancy and protection of women and children rights were discussed during the session.





It is not easy for a woman to be chief in this region





Furthermore, the Mission's officials urged local people to ensure the maintenance of a peaceful climate in their encampment in order to foster its development.



Speaking on behalf of residents, the head of the village, Eugenie Koué, explained how she managed the daily business of running the encampment.

"It is not easy for a woman to be chief in this region. However, I make an effort to involve the whole community in the running of the village. People in turn respect me," she added.



She then pleaded for the construction of a road to their encampment, a clinic, and classrooms with tables and benches to accommodate some 400 primary school pupils.



"Our youths and our women want to benefit from income-generating activities to support themselves, " she said.