Special Representative attends installation ceremony of directorate of National Chamber of kings and traditional chiefs of Côte d’Ivoire

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Friday, 2 October 2015,attended the installation ceremony of the directorate of the National Chamber of kings and traditional chiefs presided over by the Head of State, President Alassane Ouattara in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Côte d'Ivoire.

The ceremony was held in the presence of more than 2,500 kings and traditional chiefs from 31 regions and two districts in Côte d'Ivoire. Several Ivorian VIPs, including the Grand Chancellor, the head of Government and members of Government, administrative authorities and representatives of Ivorian security forces, members of parliament and the diplomatic corps took part in the ceremony.

In his introductory speech, the Minister of the Interior and Security, Ahmed Bakayoko, explained the reason behind the holding of the ceremony and thanked the authorities for ensuring that it became a reality.

« This meeting represents the start of a new era for Côte d'Ivoire » said President Alassane Ouattara, noting that « the establishment of a national chamber for traditional kings and chiefs was within the framework of the law which was adopted in this regard ». He stressed the moral authority of traditional kings and chiefs within Ivorian society, especially "in the resolution of conflict and disputes between communities and in ensuring national cohesion. « You are the first line in a State which modernising and looking to the future," he added.

In his address at the ceremony, His Majesty, Tanoé Désiré, the king of Bassam and king of the Nzimas in Côte d'Ivoire underlined tha it was important for traditional kings and chiefs "to prioritise the general interest in order to ensure that elections no long end in catastrophe during which peaceful people become victims ». He also highlighted the need « to respect the rules of the democratic game and ro encourage people to focus on development».