Traditional chiefs, elected officials and executives, women and youths in Gagnoa have made a commitment to ensure that forthcoming elections are held in a peaceful environment. They made the commitment at the end of a roundtable discussion on strengthening social cohesion on Thursday, 8 October 2015 in the presence of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, the Representative of the African Union, Mrs Josephine Mayuma Kala, and local administrative authorities.



The rountable, organized by the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) with the people of Gagnoa, situated at 271 kilometres from Abidjan in the region of Gôh, brought together 300 participants. Divided into four workshops, comprising women, youths, elected officials and executives and traditional and religious authorities, participants discussed and exchanged ideas on how they can contribute to peaceful elections.



Speaking before the recommendations and commitments were read out, the deputy Mayor, Mr. Yacouba Sylla said: « In order for us to enjoy social cohesion here in Gagnoa, we should do all we can to respect each other and show respect to our chiefs and mothers, we want development in Gagnoa ». Designated rapporteurs from the different groups then presented their contribution to promoting peace and social cohesion in order to ensure that there is no violence before, during and after the polls.



Mrs Antoinette Yobouet, the rapporteur for the women's workshop highlighted their commitment to sensitizing on acceptance and on extending the sensitization to women in the whole department, among other issues.



Blé Koudou, the rapporteur for the youth workshop said that he and his colleagues had decided to leave candidates to freely fight their campaigns and to refuse to get involve in taking the law into their hands. They also requested funds for income-generating projects.



For their partner, the elected officials and executives made a commitment to following the path of democracy, respecting the choice of the ballot box and only resorting to legal means if necessary. Finally, the rapporteur of the traditional chiefs workshop, Chief Koudou Denis said that they were already on a peace mission in their department and will be working on this every day.



« Do not use the electoral period to mix up everything !» announced Bouaké Theatre Group « C'est ça la même », which performed during the event. They performed two sketches, the first of which was entitled "Hate Speech". The theatre group works with UNOCI and partners of the United Nations in peace sensitization campaigns. During their performance, the theatre group warned participants "Do not use the electoral period to mix up everything", while stressing the peace efforts that people should become involved in to support social cohesion.



Their performance was followed by one by the theatre group "ASIKA de Gagnoa" which focused on the problems linked to rural land ownership and the process that land owners and those who want to buy land should follow, especially with regard to contacting the relevant administrative authorities.



UNOCI Chef Mrs Mindaoudou thanked people for the way they had mobilized to welcome her and her delegation. She welcomed the commitment made by all the groups to invest in strengthening social cohesion and maintaining a peaceful climate before, during and after the election. On the issue of justice and the return of those still in exile raised by participants, Mrs Mindaoudou said that these were "legitimate concerns" that should be progressively resolved. "These issues are being discussed outside of Gagnoa, they are on the table of the international community and will be resolved in the long term", she added.



Finally, the Special Representative promised participants that she will return to Gagnoa after the presidential election in October 2015 to examine the feasibility of certain education and income-generating projects with UNOCI field staff. One of the projects is related to the setting up of a monitoring committee. The Special Representative concluded by explaining some aspects of the Mission's mandate, including its limitations.

Before declaring the event closed, the Prefect of the Region, Prefect of Gagnoa, Nzi Remi Kanga thanked the Special Representative for the interest she has shown in his region. He urged all the participants to implement the commitments they had made.