The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Tuesday, 17 November 2015, handed over office equipment to the Minister of State, Minister of the Interior and Security, Hamed Bakayoko. The donation, worth 11 million FCFA, was made as part of the support of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) to the Directorate General for Territorial Administration with regard to its mechanisms and instruments of analysis for conflict prevention and management.

The project is a joint initiative implemented by UNOCI and the Ministry of the Interior and Security with the aim of strengthening the capacity of local government authorities in order to improve their skills in managing and resolving local conflicts and differences.



Speaking to the press after the ceremony, Mrs Mindaoudou highlighted the crucial role played by local government authorities on a daily basis with regard to people's needs. For this she paid tribute to them. « They are the first to become involved when there is conflict and they are committed to intercommunity dialogue as a means to maintaining social cohesion and peace, » she said. Mrs Mindaoudou then thanked the authorities for their work, while urging them to do more. In this regard, the head of UNOCI reaffirmed the UN Mission's willingness to accompany them by working with the Ministry of the Interior and Security.



Our collaboration is a great success



In his response, the Minister of the Interior said « Our collaboration is a great success ». He said that the United Nations' contribution to the crisis-resolution process, the consolidation of peace and the rebuilding of the country was very important. « I also think that this collaboration has been successful due to the particular touch of the Special Representative in facilitating the inter-Ivorian dialogue, which was a determining factor in establishing a peaceful environment for the holding of elections, » added Hamed Bakayoko. He recalled the means, the good advice, and the training sessions provided by UNOCI for civil servants in the Ministry, within the framework of its support for the consolidation of social cohesion. « We remain ready to continue our work with the UN. The search for peace is a long drawn- out job », said the Minister of State.