The mobile grassroots sensitization campaign of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) dubbed "ONUCI Tour" made a stopover on 9 May 2014 in the village of Guiende, Sub Prefecture of Tanda, 377 km north-east of Abidjan to spread the message of tolerance and peace.



UNOCI's Public Information representative, Desire Ndagijimana urged the population to respect the political and religious choice of one another.



It would be recalled that Guinde experienced an inter-religious confrontation on the night of 27 January 2014 following clashes between some young men.

The Civil Affairs representative spoke of the importance of the traditional chief who is the main link between the people and the administration and as a result he was the collaborator of the Sub Prefect and hence should be respected. Mrs. Anita Traore urged the population to massively take part in the population and housing census which she said had nothing to do with politics.



UN Police representative explained the role of the UN Police which ranges from the protection of civilians to the monitoring of the arms embargo, the building of the capacity of the local forces and promoting development and the national reconciliation process. He also spoke of the need to abolish all forms of gender-based violence such as female genital excision, exploitation of girls as domestic servants, forced and early marriages.



For his part, the Sub Prefect of Tanda, Gilbert Gueu stressed the importance of UNOCI's action with regard to the strengthening of social cohesion and peace in Cote d'Ivoire. He remarked that Guinde, the biggest village in the division, had registered the weakest turnout in the current population census and urged the population take part in the operation.

One village notable who had deprived his children from attending school promised that henceforth he was going to make sure all the children in the village went to school.



The village chief, Nanan Prao thanked UNOCI and the Sub Prefect for their good advice, indicating that peace has been restored in his village following mediation efforts by administrative authorities and the village elders.