Abidjan, 31 October 2013... On the final day of his visit to Côte d'Ivoire, the Under Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, had a working session with the Ivorian Minister of the Interior and Security, Hamed Bakayoko, who was accompanied by several members of the Government to assess the cooperation between the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and Côte d'Ivoire.



Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr. Ladsous said that the cooperation was excellent and confident. « Our cooperation involves everything that remains to be done, even if a lot has already been done to complete the normalisation of the situation in the country, » he added.



On this precise issue, the Under Secretary-General highlighted the fact that security situation had significantly improved and that economic activities have resumed.



«These are positive signs, obviously the work has to continue, especially on security sector reform, demoblisation of ex-combatants and the national reconciliation process, » he said, recalling the Government's commitment and UNOCI's support to the authorities and the population. « People are simply asking to benefit from the peace that has returned to the country, » concluded Mr. Ladsous.



Early in the day, the Chief of UN Department of Peacekeeping met with the president of the Front populaire ivoirien (FPI), Pascal Affi N'Guessan, to discuss the crisis-resolution process, political dialogue and national reconciliation.



«We explained our vision and our assessment of the situation which has certainly evolved since 2011 but nonetheless, several issues are still of concern, » said Mr. Affi N'Guessan. The FPI president then explained that his party was still concerned about security, disarmament and security sector reform.



On the issue of national reconciliation, the FPI leader said that in « their opinion nothing much is happening », « even though this process is fundamental to resolving the crisis and planning presidential elections in a peaceful and serene environment, » insisted Mr. Affi N'Guessan, who said he also raised the issue of the release of their comrades who are still being detained so that the FPI can become fully involved in politics.



« We explained the motivation of our party's proposals for a grand meeting with all political parties to be organised on several issues which are on our agenda, » said Mr. Affi N'Guessan.



On 30 October, the head of UN Peacekeeping, Hervé Ladsous, held discussions with the president of the Parti démocratique de Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI), Henri Konan Bédié. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Ladsous said he had reassured former President Bédié of UNOCI's deep commitment to Côte d'Ivoire as it continues its efforts to overcome its challenges. « We listened to his advice, » added Mr. Ladsous.



Regarding national reconciliation, the Under Secretary-General stressed to the political actors that the process must continue to advance with everyone's participation, without any restrictions.



Mr. Ladsous, who arrived in Côte d'Ivoire on 29 October, ended his visit on Thursday, 31 October with a grand working session with UNOCI personnel and received military honours from the battalions in the Mission's Force.