After Kordrou village in the department of Kouibly on the 14 January 2015, the sensitisation caravan of the United Nation Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) known as ONUCI Tour, on Wednesday, 21 January 2015 stopped in Kessa-Keklo, a village in the same department, situated at 40 km from Man. The topic of discussion was strengthening social cohesion and promoting a peaceful electoral environment.



« We are very happy to see you in Kessa-Keklo today and your visit for us is proof of the actions undertaken by UNOCI for the return of peace to Côte d'ivoire, » said the village chief of Kessably, Thomas Kaï, who was speaking on behalf of his village and that of neighbouring Kéklobly



During the discussions which involved UNOCI's partners, such as the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture based in Duékoué and the Legal Clinic based in Man, representatives of the UN Mission stressed the importance of strengthening social cohesion, exercising democratic rights during the forthcoming elections, peaceful cohabitation, protecting civilians and respect for human rights, in an effort to preserve a peaceful social environment.



The representatives of the United Nations Police (UNPOL) and UNOCI's Bangladeshi Contingent based in Man, in their contributions made reference to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2162 (2014) which highlights the security support provided by UNOCI, including the participation of the Mission's forces alongside local forces in carrying out initiatives to maintain and promote peace and security.



The head of rural land services at the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Teya Koffi, stressed the importance of ensuring that land owners have the right documents as this, according to him, will go a long way to helping social cohesion.



Representatives of UNOCI's regional Public Information Offices in Guiglo and Man, highlighted the importance the good offices mission and political support undertaken by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mme Aïchatou Mindaoudou, within the framework of political dialogue to promote national reconciliation. While presenting UNOCI's mandate to participants, they urged participants to do all they can to strengthen social cohesion in order to ensure that presidential elections in October 2015 are peaceful.



For his part, Peyogori Ouattara from UNOCI's Civil Affairs Section outlined the efforts made by the Mission to help restore State authority, national reconciliation and the implementation of Quick Impact Projects to help local people.



Esther Esso from the Regional Human Rights Office in Guiglo, recalled that the UN Mission is committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Côte d'Ivoire. UNOCI, she said « in supporting the Ivorian authorities, civil society organisations and all actors involved in the protection and promotion of human rights, provides multidimensional assistance to these actions in order to guarantee human rights are respected.»



Dorgelès M'Bra from the Legal Clinic in Man, explained to the audience that the legal clinis were set up as part the implementation of the Joint Project to Support and Improve Access to Rights and Justice in Côte d'Ivoire and then urged people to make frequent use of the free services provided by the clinic. He told them that UNOCI was one of the international funders of the project.