International Peacekeepers Day was celebrated last week in several towns in Cote d'Ivoire including Daloa, Mere, Bondoukou, Abengourou, Boguine in the Sub Prefecture of Man , San Pedro,Tolepleu, Toumanghie, Gbapleu, Adzope and Odienne.



In Daloa, at the premises of the gendarmerie school in Toroguhe , the officer in charge of civilian-military action of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) for Sector West, reiterated the mission of the Blue helmets and outlined the actions of the soldiers of peace in Daloa division. "Our first mission is to contribute to the restoration of peace and stability in the country in which we are deployed. We equally carry out social activities for the benefit of the population. In the Haut Sassandra region for example, we regularly distribute free potable water to various areas in need," Colonel Amouzou said. Peacekeepers have rehabilitated primary schools and the firing range of the gendarmerie second legion, he added.



In Bondoukou, the village of Mere in the Goumere Sub Prefecture served as the venue for the celebration which was marked by free medical consultations and treatment, the distribution of potable water and a football match between a village selection and UNOCI.

In Abengourou, UNOCI's Civil Affairs representative, Taiyou Tchouzin called on the population to continue collaborating with and supporting the Mission in all its grassroots actions to promote a lasting peace in Cote d'Ivoire.

In Odienne, Peacekeepers Day was marked by a conference on the theme: "The role of Blue helmets in the protection of civilians throughout the world and Cote d'Ivoire, in particular" and a visit to UNOCI's camp. The day was rounded up with a football match between UNOCI and the local forces.

In San Pedro, the local coordinator of the UN System, Ganda Abdourahamane gave a talk on the role of UN Peacekeeping Force.



In Bogouine, Man division, 585 km north-west of Abidjan, a sensitization campaign on social cohesion, national reconciliation and the consolidation of peace was held alongside the distribution of potable water and free medical consultations conducted by the Bangladeshi contingent of the UNOCI Force. In Tiobly in Toulepleu division, traditional songs and dances were performed which also attracted artists from neighbouring Liberia. The message of the UN Secretary-General was read; a scouting demonstration and football matches marked the rest of the celebration.



The celebration was also an occasion for UNOCI to get acquainted with the aspirations of the population of Toumanguie in the Aboisso Prefecture while a talk on UNOCI's contribution to the consolidation of peace was given by UNOCUI's regional coordinator, Malick Faye.

The people of Gblapleu, 530 km west of Abidjan welcomed the presence of the Pakistani police contingent in their midst and their commander Lt. Colonel Zakir Ali Khan. The contingent conducted free medical consultations for some 279 children, youths, women and man and distributed potable water to needy homes.



In Adzope, Civil Affairs representative, Taiyou Njende expressed the availability of the UN and its peacekeepers to work for the restoration of a lasting peace and thanked all those who have collaborated with the UN.