The sub security group of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) created in September 2003 finished its mandate on 31 December 2013, after ten years and three months of service.



To mark the event, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and head of UNOCI, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on 7 January 2014, handed out certificates to officers of the sub-group in recognition of their service to the UN Mission, at a short ceremony held in its headquarters in Sebroko. The Special Representative was accompanied by UNOCI Force Commander General Muhammad Iqbal Asi.



"On behalf of the Mission I would like to officially thank you and express our satisfaction with the work you have done and to tell you that those who worked with you over the years, whether at the State level or individually, very much appreciated your professionalism, discretion and availability," the head of UNOCI told the officers of the Group.



Speaking on behalf of the Group, the Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Afanou Ludovic said: "We leave confident that the peace that has returned to Côte d'Ivoire, thanks to the individual and collective efforts of members of the UNOCI family, will be definitive. 



The sub security group is composed of a special unity of 249 men and women from five countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), namely Benin, Ghana, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The special unit was in charge of close protection security and security provisions at the residences and work place of personalities.