A high-level delegation of the Rassemblement des Républicains (RDR) led by its secretary-general, Minister Amadou Soumahoro, on Tuesday, 28 January 2014, met with the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou at the headquarters of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).



The aim of the encounter, according to the RDR secretary-general, was to present the New Year greetings of his political party to the Special Representative and at the same time take the opportunity to discuss the socio-political situation in the country. The issues raised during the discussions focused on political dialogue, national reconciliation, the election in 2015 and the media, among other topics.



«National reconciliation and creating the right conditions for the holding of the election in 2015 are major priorities, » said the Special Representative during the meeting.



She welcomed the recent decisions taken by the Ivorian authorities regarding the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and stressed the need to revise, within a reason time frame, the composition of the IEC and the electoral list in an inclusive manner. « The pursuit of a reconciliation process which reunites the concerned Ivorian parties is essential for the consolidation of peace in Côte d'Ivoire », she added.



In this regard, the chief of UNOCI assured the delegation of « the support and accompaniment « of the Mission in the consolidation of peace in the country, while stressing that the responsibility for this rests first and foremost with Ivorians. In addition, the Special Representative « recalled that it was imperative that political actors and the media behave in a way that is good for the country and abstain from using the kind of language that could endanger national reconciliation ».



«It was a fruitful encounter during which UNOCI and the Rassemblement des Républicains discussed issues on which we share essentially the same view, » said the RDR secretary-general, Mr. Amadou Soumahoro. He further explained that the aim of the visit was to discuss issues of common interest on Côte d'Ivoire, especially national reconciliation, the election in 2015 and the social climate in the country.



Concerning the election in 2015, the RDR secretary-general also said that his delegation and the Special Representatiove agreed that everything should be done to ensure that it is consensual and truly democratic.

« We agreed that all the conditions which would make the election acceptable to all concerned should be created, especially with regard to the democratic context in which it should take place, » he added.



Mr. Soumahoro concluded by affirming to the press that the Special Representative had assured his delegation of the United Nations continued support to Côte d'Ivoire.