People in the Kolia sous-préfecture, situated at some 705 km north of Abidjan, were sensitised on the values of the culture of peace, social cohesion, the fight to end gender-based violencee and the protection of civilians, on Thursday, 14 April 2016. It was during a session of the local sensitisation campaign known as ONUCI Tour, initiated by the Public Information Office of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) based in Korhogo.

The head of the UNOCI delegation and representative of the Mission’s Civil Affairs Section, Abdulai Baako, urged people to use dialogue and negotiation to resolve their problems in order to consolidate peace, social cohesion and sustainable development. « Each time there is a conflict, seize the opportunity to use peaceful means to resolve it », he said.

For his part, the deputy prefect of Kolia, Raymond Kouadio Konan, highlighted the links which exist between the different communities. « In order to preserve a peaceful climate and social cohesion, you must continue to live in perfect harmony by respecting the law and traditional customs », he added.

Following presentations by UNOCI’s Public Information Office, Civil Affairs Section and United Nations Police, participants, which included traditional chiefs, youths and women discussed various topics and concerns, such as resolving conflict between patoralists and farmers and land ownership disputes. The problem of children’s education in rural areas and women’s role in community cohesion as well as the fight to end female genital mutilation were also at the centre of the discussions.

In return the UNOCI staff urged local people to collaborate with local security forces so that they can better protect them.