The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), in collaboration with the civil society platform on Friday, 27 September JPEG

2013, organised a round table discussion in Korhogo, situated 588 km north of Abidjan, as part of its support to the national reconciliation process.



Explaining the reasons for organising the event, the representative of UNOCI's Public Information Office said that the aim of the forum was to give actors involved in the reconciliation process to assess it, identify any problems encountered in its implementation and try to find solutions as sharing their experiences.



Accompanying the process should include not only meetings with the population but also with the authorities, especially politicians in order to establish lasting peace, said the local commissioner of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Malick Sall,



Speaking on behalf of civil society platform, the vice president, Soro Valérie Tiépé said that they his organisation intended to continue its collaboration with the Commission as well as with the local press. She also said that all those working for peace and reconciliation should ensure that the public becomes resolutely involved in the process.



The press correspondent and president of the Association of Men and Women of the Media in Korhogo, Mack Dakota, said that the body had put in place mechanisms to sanction any journalists who are found to jeopardise the reconciliation process in the region through their work.

At the end of the discussions, the participants made recommendations aimed at better harmonising the activities of the different actors. They also asked that a platform for regular discussions with leaders of political parties be set up in order to improve the promotion of the Commission's activities, gain financial support for their information and sensitisation activities and increase their written and audiovisual productions on the reconciliation process.



The round table was also attended by UNOCI's Civil Affairs Section and Human Rights Division who urged participants to continue with their efforts to strengthen social cohesion and promote human rights and transitional justice.