The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Aïchatou Mindaoudou, has congratulated the leader of the Front Populaire Ivoirien- Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) and Opposition leader, «for his patriotic attitude before, during and after the presidential election on 25 October 2015 ». Mrs Mindaoudou was speaking after her meeting with the FPI leader, Pascal Affi N'Guessan, on 16 November 2015.

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The encounter was part of a series of meetings with the different presidential candidates that the head of UNOCI started on 3 November 2015 to congratulate them on behalf of the UN Secretary-General of the United Nations.



Speaking to the press at the end of the meeting, the Special representative said : {« I must say that even before the holding of the presidential election, the leader of the FPI has consistently behaved in a way which puts the national interest above all else »}.



Mrs Mindaoudou also said that her discussions with Mr. Affi Nguessan also touched on some of his party's concerns including detainees linked to the post-electoral crisis of 2010-2011, the unfreezing od bank accounts, return of exiles and returning illegal occupied homes to their owners. {« I assured the FPI leader that I will continue to follow up on these issues with the Government, who has said it was willing to take significant action in this regard after the presidential election, in an effort to strengthen peace and national reconciliation »}, said the head of UNOCI.



With regard to the return of refugees, the Special Representative said that the United Nations had started working to create the conditions for a definitive return of Ivorian refugees.



Mrs Mindaoudou also spoke about other concenrns that were raised by the FPI with regard to the elections, including financing, representation of political parties and candidates in polling stations. {« These are issues which should be discussed during political dialogue between the Government and the different political parties so that together they can find a solution accepted by everyone, »}she added.



For his part, the FPI leader said he had reaffirmed his party's commitment to participate in politics to the Special Representative. He said that the FPI will take part in future elections, such as the legislative and local elections. {« In this regard, we are going to ask for a new electoral configuration as part of the political dialogue, »}, said the FPI leader.