The Ivorian Army (FRCI), in partnership with the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the Ivorian national Authority for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (ADDR) organized a sporting event dubbed Maracana caravan for peace and reconciliation on 5 and 6 September 2014 in Ferkessedougou, 640 km north of Abidjan. The aim was to promote peace and reconciliation as well as break the barrier of distrust between the population and the forces of law and order.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the head of the UNOCI delegation, Bakayoko Bakary said UNOCI cannot but associate itself with such a wonderful initiative that promotes peace, reconciliation and fraternity through sport.

The president of the organising committee, Chief Sergeant Ouattara Abou of the Army Sport Society spoke of the importance of the tournament. "Our aim in initiating this tournament is to place emphasis on cohesion and reconciliation. Sport is a powerful factor of social cohesion and unity which leaves no one indifferent. We wish to seize this opportunity also to tell the population that the Army wishes to come closer to them in order to urge them toward peace and reconciliation," the Sergeant declared.

The head of the ADDR branch in Ferkessedougou, Emmanuel Sanon said the participation of his establishment was imperative because what concerns peace, security and especially social cohesion concerns the ADDR. "It is also an occasion for us to encourage ex-combatants and the communities to surrender their weapons for the sake of security and a lasting peace in the region," he said.

On the sideline of the tournament, UNOCI Pakistan battalion, which was part of the overall security arrangement for the occasion, also distributed potable water to the population of the disadvantaged areas of the municipality.