High-level UN mission acquaints itself with the situation in Mont Peko classified forest in west of Côte d’Ivoire and meets the people of Bagohouo

The high-level mission led by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, to the west of Côte d'Ivoire, on 25 February 2014, went to Mont Péko classified forest and Bagohouo village, situated some 500 km from Abidjan in the Cavally Region.

The delegation led by the Special Representative is composed of representatives of United Nations agencies, namely the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF) and the World Bank.

After flying over Mont Peko, members of the delegation met with local authorities, including the Prefect of the Region and Prefect of Duékoué, Mr. Sory Sangaré, the Prefect of Bangolo, Mr. Mahama Gbané, the Deputy Prefect of Bagohouo, Mr. Tanoh Angaman Ettien Jean Désiré, in the presence of representatives of the security forces.

The discussions mainly focused on issues related to the relocating of families who have been living in the classified forest for many years, ensuring that their children are cared for and sent to school, the disarmament of ex-combatants and measures to be taken to prevent communities going back to Mont Péko to live.

Addressing traditional leaders and the people, Mrs Mindaoudou said : «We represent the United Nations System and we came to to listen to what you have to say in order to provide you with better assistance".
People applauded enthusiastically when the Special Representative announced that UNOCI will complete the construction of the local government offices in Bagohouo as part of the mission's assistance to the restoration of state authority throughout the country.