Bardot quarter in San Pedro urged to ensure peaceful elections in 2015

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28 Nov 2014

Bardot quarter in San Pedro urged to ensure peaceful elections in 2015

Residents of Bardot quarter in San Pedro, the most populated neighbourhood in the municipality have been called upon to make an effort to ensure peaceful elections in 2015.



Officials of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) made the appeal on 26 November 2015 during a grassroots sensitization campaign dubbed ONUCI-Tour. UNOCI Public Information Officer in San Pedro, Kadizatou Ibrahim Cisse said the campaign was aimed at promoting the mandate of the UN Mission which consisted in assisting the country in the crisis-resolution process.



"We must make the culture of peace a reality by adopting a non-violent behavior and by being tolerant towards others, especially during the conduct of the forthcoming elections so that Cote d'Ivoire can finally emerge from the crisis," he explained.



Other components of UNOCI including Human Rights and UN Police as well as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) presented their various roles to the population. UNOCI partners like the Active Women's Organisation in Cote d'Ivoire (OFACI) presented messages in connection with the current 16-day campaign on the fight against violence done to women. In this regard, a spokesperson of OFACI, Salimata Guede called on the women to report all cases of violence committed against women.



Another spokesperson, Odile Wawou thanked the UN System for organizing the meeting. "My dear sisters, lets advise our children and men not to listen to those who ask people to take up arms. We the women usually pay a heavy price when there is war. Let's do everything not to relive the situation of war in our country," she stressed.



The quarter head of Bardot, Sekou Bamba said he was pleased with the UNOCI initiative which has enabled the population to better understand the work of UNOCI and expressed the hope that such activities would be organized in the different neighbourhoods of San Pedro.