The Public Information Office of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) on 7 April 2016, local dignitaries, elected officials and local administrative authorities from the department of Issia, around a table to discuss the consolidation of peace, social cohesion and national reconciliation.

The theme of the workshop was “Regional opinion leaders and the challenges of consolidating peace, community cohesion and national reconciliation”. It brought together some 40 participants, including the Prefect and Mayor of Issia.

The objective of the workshop was to provide the regional opinion leaders the opportunity to share their experiences, support the national reconciliation process and find a lasting and definitive solution to the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire.

As part of the event, UNOCI’s Political Affairs and Security Sector Reform (SSR) Divisions trained participants on these issues. While the Political Affairs Division addressed the issue of ’’ the peace and national reconciliation through the strengthening of the cooperation between United Nations system officials, public opinion leaders and local authorities”; SSR Division tackled the ‘‘roles and responsibilities of civil society and the challenges of consolidating peace, promoting social cohesion and national reconciliation”.

Speaking on behalf of UNOCI’s delegation, Sylvestre Kibeceri, invited participants to take the opportunity to share and discuss the challenges they may face. In addition, he said that UNOCI will always be present and available to provide support to the population of Issia in accordance with its mandate.

"The exchanges we have had today, will guide us and guide you through our collaboration to find lasting peace. I have no doubt that with your commitment, there will be significant progress," he concluded.

The Prefect of Issia, Benjamin Effoli, for his part, explained that in Côte d’Ivoire "political conflict is a reality" and the goal was to have peaceful local elections. He further stressed that the workshop had made him realize that "hearts are not completely healed." Mr. Effoli welcomed the United Nations work in the department. "We must learn to live together rather than die together," he said.

Following the exchanges the local dignitaries, elected officials and local administrative authorities decided to create conditions for a peaceful environment and serve as peace messengers in their respective regions and communities.

The Prefect of Issia concluded by announcing that after the workshop, he will ask the Ivorian Interior Ministry to set up a monitoring committee in his district. This committee will be composed exclusively of the participants at this workshop and will aim to prevent conflicts in the department.