The people of Poyably, Bakoubly Sub Prefecture of Toulepleu division on 5 November 2014 hosted the grassroots sensitisation team of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) which had come with a message of peace.

A representative of UNOCI Public Information Office, Vincent Kouakou called on the population to calmly prepare for upcoming elections by ensuring that they are properly conducted. Properly conducted elections, he said, would guarantee stability and peace that would in turn enable development to follow suite. "Elections should not be a source of discord as it was the case in 2010 in neighbouring villages. They should instead unite and bring people together for the development of your division," he said.

Clement Dago of the Human Rights office stressed on the promotion of human rights, especially the right to education, life, freedom of expression and the respect of human dignity by fighting against female genital mutilation and rape. He called on women to actively participate in decision making in the village.



UN Police Moussa Mohammed who is the focal point on gender issues spoke on gender equality, early pregnancy and matrimonial violence. He urged the people to respect and protect women, educate children, especially young girls and make sure they do not come home with pregnancies. He called on the youth leader of the village to set up a committee to fight against early pregnancies.

Maxime Ekani of the Civil Affairs Office spoke of the need to settle conflicts peacefully, saying conflicts are part of human nature but when they arise, they should be settled peacefully. He suggested that the conflict between Poyably and its neightbour, Ziombly over the demarcation of forest land should be settled through dialogue and consultation with the help of the authorities and with respect for the law.

The village Chief, Pierre Monhiro expressed gratitude to UNOCI for the sensitisation saying: "we usually saw UNOCI pass by without knowing their role and activities. It is with joy that we receive them today and pledge to create a peaceful election environment in 2015."



The inhabitants presented a number of grievances to the local administrative authorities including the rehabilitation of a wooden bridge leading to the village, the need for support to a local agriculture group, support for victims of the war and the pursuit of perpetrators of crimes committed during the post electoral crisis in order to achieve real reconciliation.