The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), through its police component, on 23 March 2016, presented certificates of participation to some 40 gendarmes from San Pedro at the premises of the San Pedro Port Security Group at the end of a training programme on maritime policing.

The training was part of a partnership between the local Ivorian security forces, namely the Police and Gendarmerie, and the United Nations Police (UNPOL) aimed at strengthening the opertaional capacity of the local forces..

It was organised in two sessions and involved 20 gendarmes in each session. The first session was held between the 2 and 12 March abd the second from the 14 to 22 March.

Participants were instructed in maritime rights, navigation, the lights which guide ships in the night and maritime symbols, the signs which show a ship in distress, maritime vocabulary and weather, maritime maps and oil slicks by Captain Touhemi Zidi of the United Nations Police. The theoretical course were followed by practical exercises.

The certificates were presented to the 40 recipients, which included three officers, in the presence of the Director-General of San Pedro Port, Hilaire Lamizana, the Commander of the 5th Gendarmerie legion of San Pedro, Lieutenant-Colonel Jules Akpo Koi, the representative of the United Nations Coordinator in San Pedro, Stephen Lyonga Ekosse, as well as personnel from the National Gendarmerie, San Pedro Port and UNOCI.

In his speech to the gathering, Colonel Akpo welcomed UNOCI’s constant support through the different training programmes aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of his elements.

Speaking on behalf of UNOCI, Mr. Lyonga urged participants to make good use of their training. « Make sure that all you have learnt in the past two weeks is reflected in your daily work by being efficient in the field and always be alert », he said.

In addition, he assured UNOCI’s partners that the UN Mission remained ready to work hand and hand with the local forces with the aim of strengthening our collaboration with them.

For his part, the Director-General of San Pedro Port, Hilaire Lamizana, thanked UNOCO for the training which he said had come at the right time considering the current security context around the world in general and in the country in particuliar. He expressed his gratitude to UNOCI for all that it was doing for the Ivorian economy, Ivorians and for peace in Côte d’Ivoire and the sub-region.

Addressing participants, Mr. Lamizana urged them to ensure that they are always morally, intellectually physically and professionally ready to respond to the challenges, constrains and risks which they could face at any time.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, the deputy commander of the San Pedro Port Security Group, Captain Arsène Boua Koffi said: « After the different training programme from which UNOCI has organised for us, we can now say that the San Pedro Port Security Group has the potential to provide security and safety in the waters of San Pedro». He also thanked their instructor Captain Zidi for his availablity and for sharing his expertise with them.