Peace and reconciliation: these were the two subjects on the agenda of an inter-community dialogue session the people of Djouroutou, a locality situated in southwest Côte d'Ivoire near Tabou, 616 km from Abidjan, on Friday, 29 November 2013, organised by the Civil Affairs Section of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).



The people from this locality and those who came from a dozen neighbouring villages have been viewing one another with suspicion for several months as a result of the post-electoral crisis which took place in the country and had now decided they were ready to accept "support to help them find reconciliation and once again establish social cohesion".

From now on you need to show evidence that the country needs all its sons and daughters and all its inhabitants to rebuild itself, said the head of the UNOCI delegation, Doudou Mulaba. "Instead of holding on to your personal interpretation of what happened during the crisis, you have decided to reunite and listen to each other in order to find a common approach to work to develop your locality. This can only give us great pleasure, we the United Nations who have been going up and down the country for several months to talk to different communities and encourage them to cultivate peace and social cohesion," he added.



Earlier, he explained that the objectives of the activity were part of UNOCI's mandate. "By organising these workshops, we want to make all of you champions of love for Côte d'Ivoire, your country where it is good to live. You must avoid words and actions of hate which are destructive and unjustified and contribute to dividing you. We came to help you find lasting peace and development," explained Doudou Mulaba.

For the deputy prefect of Djouroutou, Allou Déaza Raphael, Côte d'Ivoire had gone through difficult periods and it was now time to bury the hatchet and start working together for the development of our country. "As Ivorians, it is our duty to ensure that peace returns to our country. Let's forget the past and concentrate our efforts on what is essential for our future and that of our children,"he added. He then expressed the hope that the results of the inter-community dialogue will include a code of conduct which will guide communities in the search for lasting peace and social cohesion in the constituency.



It should be recalled that during three days members of four target groups, namely women youths, traditional, religious and community leaders and men people were able to express their concerns and preoccupations at listening sessions.

The recommendations made during the session included respect for traditions and customs, setting up a system to resolve disputes and manage rumours, the creation of inclusive microprojects, the rehabilitation of the public primary school, the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants and traditional hunters known as Dozos, the establishment of a code of conduct and the organisation of a series of sensitisation activities on respect for human rights , women and social cohesion.



UNOCI's Civil Affairs and Public Information Sections, its Niger battalion and UN Police took part in the activity.