"The contribution of Community Leaders in Zagné in the Consolidation of Lasting Peace" – this was the theme of a roundtable initiated by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), on Wednesday, 28 August 2013 in Zagné in the district of Guiglo, situated at 650 km west of Abidjan.



The meeting with community leaders was part of the outreach activities of the UN Mission to promote lasting peace in Côte d'Ivoire.



Addressing participants during the discussions, the representative of UNOCI's Public Information Office urged them to strengthen peace within their respective communities and set up a common strategy of actions in order to establish a lasting peaceful climate.



For his part, the representative of the Mission's Rule of Law Section called on the community leaders to invest in the search for social cohesion by using peaceful means to resolve differences that may occur within their communities.



The community chiefs and leaders made a commitment to be guarantors of social cohesion. The chief of Zagné I, Kei Sahin Norbert said "{Zagné has signed an agreement with peace which will never be broken. Here, brotherhood, understanding, forgiveness are always welcome. This is why our village remains a haven of peace}".



For his part, the deputy prefect of Zagné, Gnepkié Gnahé, welcomed the contribution of the UN mission to the consolidation of peace. "{We are grateful to UNOCI for its efforts to make each of us standard bearers of peace}," he added. He also asked participants to put in place mechanisms to preserve and strengthen social cohesion and development.



It should be noted that some 20 leaders from different communities in Zagné took part in the roundtable.