The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and the head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Saturday, 17 August 2013, met officials from the regime of former President Laurent Gbagbo who were provisionally released from detention on 6 August 2013, at the headquarters of the Front populaire ivoirien (FPI). The Special Representative was received by the president of the FPI, Pascal Affi N'Guessan, accompanied by party officials, including the son of the former president, Michel Gbagbo.



Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Mindaoudou told journalists that she asked for the meeting for two reasons. « There is the African reason, because as you all know in Africa when you have relatives or friends who have had difficulties, you come and see them to show your support. This is one of the reasons for my visit. I was happy to meet them and the fact that they have been provisonally released from detention, » she explained.



In addition, « as the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, I also came to express the satisfaction of the Secretary-General, mine and the whole of the United Nations in response to the positive statements that they have been making following their release from prison, » she said. Mrs Mindaoudou said that the statements were an indication of « their decision to enter in the political dialogue and reconciliation process, in a word, the FPI's willingness to take part in the process which is ongoing in Côte d'Ivoire ».



For his part, the FPI president, Pascal Affi N'Guessan declared : « We are pleased that the Special Representative came to visit us. We consider her visit an honour, a mark of brotherhood and friendship and also of commitment ». He also added that the meeting was held to dicuss some essential issues.



The FPI president concluded by reaffirming to the Special Representative « their willingness to work so that Côte d'Ivoire can once again find peace, stability, brotherhood and become a great nation ».