Strengthen social cohesion and maintain peace: these were the two issues at the heart of a discussion and information session between personnel of the Human Rights Division, Rule of Law and Civil Affairs sections and the Public Information Office of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), and people in Gonié, a locality situated at 547 km northwest of Abidjan and 12 km from Bangolo.

Participants who turned up in large numbers discussed various topics with UNOCI, such as the forthcoming presidential election, the national census, gender-based violence, extortion carried out some members of the Forces Républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI), the illegal sale of land, armed attacks, social cohesion, reconciliation and respect for the village chief.



Pierre Aby from UNOCI's Public Information Office appealed to participants to respect the authority of the village chief and urged them to scrupulously respect the customs of others as this would further strengthen social cohesion. He also highlighted the need for everyone to take part in the next presidential election by freely casting their vote.



For his part, Ramillo Rudaragi from UNOCI's Civil Affairs Section explained and stressed the importance of ensuring a successful national reconciliation process. « We talk about reconciliation when there is a crisis, "a disagreement" between two parties. From then on nothing can be done. We try to bring about peace by bringing the two protagonists together which in turn leads to peace social cohesion and development. UNOCI works to achieve this everyday, » he said

The UN Mission's Human Rights Officer, Estelle Esso, recalled that application of the law prevents anarchy and disorder in a society and nobody was above the law. « Nobody has the right to take someone's life because life is precious », she said. She also urged participants to register the birth of their children. « It is a right which should be shown by having a birth certificate, » she added.



Mrs Esso also warned against excision which is against the law and which is harmful to the victim because it could lead to other disease such HIV/AIDS, tetanus and difficulty in childbirth.

Judith Nvodjo Diakité from UNOCI's Rule of Law section sensitised participants on Côte d'Ivoire's 1998 rural land law and recalled that this law can be used to resolve all land issues. « I ask you to respect this law which allows courts to do their work well, » she added. Mrs Diakité also encouraged participants to make good use of the legal clinics which have been set up locally à fréquenter les Cliniques juridiques mises sur pied pour leur proximité et la diligence de règlement de leurs préoccupations liées à l'établissement des extraits d'acte de naissance, des conflits conjugaux entre autres.

Abdouraouf Dermane from the United Nations Police (UNPOL) reassured participants that the UN Mission was working closely with local police to provide security. « We are here for you, women, children, young and old alike. Our mission is to protect civilians like yourselves, in partnership with the local security forces. Our presence should help to reassure you that we are working to maintain and strengthen security, » he stressed. He added that the security forces needed information from people in order to improve security.

The village chief of Gonié, Bernard Tehé, welcomed the encounter with his people. He also expressed his joy at his village having found peace thanks to the reduction in armed attacks which means people can move around freely. « Social cohesion exists in Gonié and we have launched a census of residents to ensure that the village enjoys even more visibility » he concluded.