Four days after the violent incidents at the main prison in Abidjan known as the Maison d'Arrêt et de Correction d'Abidjan (MACA), and following a report from the Human Rights Division of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Wednesday, 24 February 2016, went to the institution to inquire about the situation and meet the Prison Administration authorities.



After discussions with officials from the Ivorian Ministry of Justice, the Prison Administration and MACA, the head of the UNOCI visited the clinic where the injured were being treated.



Mrs Mindaoudou deplored the events which took place at MACA on Saturday, 20 February 2016 and presented her condolences to the families of the people who died during the incidents, and her sympathy to the injured.



The Special Representative thanked the Prison Administration for having provided medical treatment for those who were injured. « I must congratulate the Ministry of Justice and the Prison Administration for their prompt reaction and in particular the medical staff in MACA. I welcome the fact that the injured who need to be evacuated will be evacuated as soon as possible, » she added.



The Acting Director of Prison Administration, Joachim Koffi, confirmed that measures had been taken for the evacuation of the seriously injured during the day. « The doctor is in the process of getting all the evacuation documents ready. The Ministry of Justice has given firm instructions that those who need to evacuated should be evacuated. This will be done without delay today. I am satisfied with the way the injured have been treated by the medical team at the clinic in MACA », said the Acting Director of Prison Administration.