The Special Representative for the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Wednesday, 21 August 2013, received a delegation of religious leaders led by the Archbishop of Abidjan, Monsignor Jean Pierre Kutwa, at UNOCI headquarters in Abidjan.



Speaking to journalists after the encounter, Monsignor Kutwa said: « Mrs Mindaoudou came here with a special mandate, that is to say she came to help us find peace once again in our house, so that we can progress ».



The Archbishop Abidjan said he had assured the Special Representative of the support of religious leaders in the accomplishment of her mission. « We assured her of our contribution so ensure that peace really returns to our house through prayers and by actions which will carry out with her, » he added.



Apart from the Archbishop of Abidjan, the delegation included the president of the National Forum of Religious Confessions, Pastor Ediémou Blin Jacob, Bishop Isaac Bodjé of the United Methodist and Protestant Church, and Pastor Jean Baptiste Niemblin of the Evangelic Church. The president of the Superior Council of Imams (COSIM), Cheick Boikary Fofana, could not take part in the meeting because he already had appointments with the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission.



Mrs Mindaoudou, who arrived in Côte d'Ivoire more than a month ago has held a series of meetings to officiallly introduce herself to all the parties involved in the peace and reconciliation process.