Gouméré, a village situated at 391 km northeast of Abidjan in the district of Bondoukou was on Friday, 4 October 2013, the latest place to receive a visit from ONUCI Tour, the local sensitisation and exchange of information caravan of the United Nations 'Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).



"{We have come here for two reasons, the first is to explain the mandate and role of each section and to discuss your concerns regarding the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire with you}," explained the representative of the Public Information Office, who then urged people to preserve peace in their village.



"{If everyone's rights are respected it is easy to avoid conflict and rebuild peace,}"said the representative of UNOCI's Human Rights Division who spoke on the source of conflict around the world. Respect for one another and the involvement of all sections of society in the affairs of the village was the main thrust of his message to the people.



With regard to the representative of UNOCI's Civil Affairs Section, she highlight the support and assistance her section provides in the promotion of social cohesion, national reconciliation and the restoration of state authorities in Ivorian towns and villages. "{The traditional authorities, the closest collaborators of the deputy prefect represent the Head of State at the village, in this regard they are guarantors of social cohesion, peace and security for the population}," she explained.

Providing security for people and their property, protecting children, fighting against impunity, maintaining social cohesion between the sons and daughters of Gouméré were among the issues raised by UNOCI's Child Protection Section, UN Police and the Ghanaian Battalion.



Speaking on behalf of the population at the end of the meeting, the village chief, Nana Kouadio Yebouah, thanked UNOCI for having organised the sensitisation and information session. For his part, the deputy prefect of Gouméré, Kalidja Kouamé, thanked the UN Mission for its messages and urged villagers to pass them on to their respective families. "{Today, we know why UNOCI is in Côte d'Ivoire. So we must not only work with them in the search for peace, we should be ahead of them in order to ensure that development comes to Gouméré, }" she concluded.



Some 200 people, including traditional and religious leaders, representatives of political parties, women's associations and youth groups took part in the meeting.