The city of Man hosted a sensitization caravan to promote an environment conducive to elections in 2015 organised by the Civil Affairs and Public Information Sections of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) from Sunday, 4 October to Monday, 5 October 2015, in collaboration with the sub-prefecture of Man and local youths.



The first stage of the sensitization campaign which started on Sunday at Teresa quarter's Babadjan place was presided over by the Deputy Prefect of Central Man, Donatien N'Zi, with the participation of participants from High school, Camp-Sea, Petit Paris, Commerce, High School Club, Koko and Soleil neighbourhoods. The meeting was a follow-up to intercommunity dialogue sessions organized on 8 and 9 September 2015, in the presence of the Head of UNOCI, during which different sections of civil society, namely youths, women and traditional chiefs in Man requested special encounters, UNOCI's Office Coordinator in Man, Ephraim Abwe Diabe recalled. He urged people in Man to promote social cohesion, tolerance and peace in order to create an environment conducive to peaceful elections in 2015.



Speaking on the occasion on behalf of the Prefecture of Man, the deputy prefect, Donatien N'Zi, called on the youths to behave responsibly and play their role in the creation of a serene enmvironment at this crucial moment when Côte d'Ivoire is preparing to hold elections. "Young people, you must take charge of this action supported by UNOCI because without peace, there is no development and no work for young people. I ask you to work to ensure that the social climate in peaceful so that elections can be conducted without any hindrance".

On Sunday afternoon, the caravan stopped at the Sculptor Crossroads in Dioulabougou district where the populations from Blokoss Kennedy, Domoro, Petit Gbapleu, Glongouin, Libreville, Air-France neighbourhoods gathered to welcome it.



The deputy prefect of Man, Claude Gervaise Djerehé Iriké, present at this stage, encouraged people to make peace, be tolerant, and have a spirit of fair play during the forthcoming elections.



Election is not war. It is a democratic game.



Speaking in turns, the representatives of youth, women, traditional chiefs and religious leaders asked people in Man to work for a peaceful electoral and social environment to help Man become a good example at the end of the election process. "Election is not war. It is a democratic game. You should let the candidates no matter his political party campaign in your neighborhoods, villages and towns. Do not prevent people from voting. It is their right to vote" Justine Kpan the representative of women said.



All of them decided to work for peace, tolerance to ensure that the forthcoming elections are a success in the department of Man.



On Monday afternoon, 5 October 2015, the caravan went to Grand Gbapleu, where the people from Belleville, Air France-à-droite, CAPEN and surrounding villages gathered together for the activity.



The caravan then went to Campus neighbourhood and met with people from Douyagouiné I and II, CAFOP, Sari, Caisse-Stable, Gbepleu, Zeal I and II and the neighbouring villages. More than 600 people, including 350 women, were present at this place.



In the Campus neighbourhood, the head of UNOCI's delegation and the deputy prefect of Man Central urged the people to work for a favourable electoral environment to avoid the post-electoral crisis which took place in 2011.

Representatives of the youths, women, religious and traditional authorities, called for peace, reconciliation, tolerance and non-violence during the forthcoming elections. They promised to administrative authorities and UNOCI, that they would work for reconciliation and a peaceful environment in Man.

To mark their commitment, the women of the Campus neighbourhood sang and danced with six musicians of the Federation of Artistic Groups of Man who voluntarily accompanied the caravan.



It should be noted that this activity was preceded on Friday, 2 October 2015, by a capacity-building workshop organized by the sub-prefecture and UNOCI for 60 members of the caravan organization committee.