Staff of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) accompanied by partners including the Surveys Service of the Ivorian Ministry of Agriculture and the NGO engaged the people of Sioville on 19 June in discussion on social cohesion and human rights.





A representative of UNOCI Public Information Office, Pierre Aby called on the people to respect human rights as a guarantee for peaceful coexistence. « This implies that you banish physical violence from your daily conduct, bullying, rape, female excision which, according to health experts, has harmful effects on victims such as fistula and sterility, » he advised.



A representative of UN Police, Joyeux Nimpagariste said in order to attain perfect cohesion, it was important for the population to provide the local and impartial forces with reliable information for the sake of the security of persons and goods.



The regional chief of the Survey Service, Kofi Teya spoke on the land law of 1998 which he said contributes to social cohesion. « The law allows for an orderly management of rural lands and gives men and women equal rights with regard to these lands, » he pointed out, adding that sharecropping must be based on a clear and precise contract between proprietor and tenant before the land is developed.

representative, Jonas Siekpo said he was satisfied with the perfect harmony between the communities in Sioville. « I admire the cohesion existing in your village. I urge you to promote dialogue and peace in case of any misunderstanding. Promote friendly settlement of disputes and seek the assistance of the village chief, » he advised.