'Regional opinion leaders tackle the challenges of peace, intercommunity cohesion and national reconciliation » - this was the theme of a workshop organised by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) for elected representatives, local dignitaries and local government officials in Blolequin, situated at 580 km west of on Thursday, 11 February 2016.

Some 40 participants, representing differents sections of the population, took part in the event, during which they were instructed on several topics by United Nations personnel and their partner, the Legal Aid Clinic. In addition, UNOCI's Civil Affairs Section made a presentation on « Politics : a good to serve the community and a key to lasting human development development''; while the Human Rights Division tackled « Promotion of Gender Equality for Peace and Lasting development. The Legal Aid Clinic for its part dealt with « Education on the values of the culture of justice in a national reconciliation context''.



The presentations were followed by discussions during which participants expressed their points of view to the trainers on UNOCI's involvement in the strengthening of social cohesion, the importance of local elections in community development, gender equlity, protection of civilians, arms circulation and the illegal occupation of classified forests, as well as rural land ownership disputes.



At the end of the discussions, the elected representatives, local dignitaries and local government officials expressed their determination to guarantee peace and social cohesiom in the department of Blolequin. In this regard, they made the following commitments: to avoid stigmatising people who have returned from Liberia; promote tolerance during forthcoming elections; have confidence in the Ivorian justice system and respect the decisions it makes, promote good governance at all levels.



Going back to square one endlessly does not help development



Among the recommendations made by the participants were that the State facilitates the free circulation of persons and goods by dismantling illegal checkpoints, provide defence and security forces with the human and material means to do their work, facilitate the promotion and widespread distribution of rural land laws, fight against the circulation and retention of of arms and equal treatment for war victims. With regard to UNOCI, the opinion leaders from Blolequin asked that the Mission regularly organises workshops that promote peace and reconciliation and assit youth and women's organisations so that members can become financially independent.



During the opening ceremony of the workshop, the Prefect of Blolequin department, Yao Kouakou Dinard, thanked UNOCI for its constant presence in his locality while assuring the UN Mission that local government was ready to support all its initiatives to consolidate peace.« We need the United Nations in order to continue to improve the current peaceful situation. Going back to square one endlessly does not help development », he concluded.



The Mayor, Edouard Kehi, for his part, pleaded with participants by stating : « We have a duty to relearn how to live together because we have no choice. I therefore encourage you to use this workshop as a step to consolidating peace in our region ».



In conclusion, the United Nations Coordinator in Toulepleu, Helene Sylvie Zomahoun, reiterated the United Nations' willingness to support people in Blolequin in their quest for lasting peace and development in the department.