Opinion leaders in the department of Didievi, 60 km from Yamoussoukro, have been discussing their role and commitment to social cohesion and national reconciliation. Some 50 of them met in a forum organized by the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) on Wednesday, 12 June 2013.



UNOCI personnel from the Civil Affairs, Public Information and Human Rights Division made presentations on the importance of their commitment and the setting up of mechanisms for the management of conflicts in order to strengthen social cohesion. Emphasis was placed on the culture of peace, the values of non violence, tolerance, and the commitment of civil society as well as transitional justice.



The Prefect of Didievi, Dossan Kouakou, expressed his gratitude to UNOCI for its initiative in organizing the session, adding that good social cohesion is determined by its capacity to take appropriate measures to pre-empt violence and promote respect for the rules of the democratic game.



Committees were set up to monitor land disputes and conflicts between farmers and cattle grazers at the end of the session.