People in Mona, in the Guiglo sous-préfecture, situated at some 520 km west of Abidjan, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen social cohesion during a stopover of the sensitisation caravan ONUCI Tour organised by the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) in their village, on Wednesday, 9 March 2016.

We have found the means to resolve our conflicts

« Thanks to the intervention of UNOCI, after the post-electoral crisis, the situation has really improved. Today all the communities live in perfect harmony and promote social cohesion. We have found the means to resolve our conflicts », said the village chief Theodore Maho, during the sessions. He then pleaded for financial assistance for the youths and women in the village can find something that will make them financial independent to do.

The community sensitisation session provided an opportunity for UNOCI’s Public Information, Human Rights and Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and the Legal Clinic of Guiglo, to explain their different mandates to participants.

During the discussions which followed, people raised several concerns such as the promotion and protection of women’s rights, gender-based violence, disarmament of ex-combatants and traditional hunters commonly known as Dozos ; compensation for victims of crises, security, birth registration and strengthening social cohesion.

It should be noted that UNOCI has already carried out actions as part of its good offices mandate in Mona by organising listening sessions to resolve a traditional chieftaincy dispute in 2012 and the celebration of International Day of Peace in 2014.