The people of Nanandi, 484 km north-west of Abidjan on Monday 30 September welcomed a UN campaign team dubbed ONUCI Tour and national security agents that had come to talk with them about development and the need to maintain social cohesion.



The representative of the UN Public Information Office urged those who attended the meeting to continue to consolidate cohesion which is a source of pride to the inhabitants of Nanandi. "{The harmony that exists among you must be kept intact in order to promote the development of your village}," the UNOCI official said. He also encouraged them not to indulge in gender-based violence.



Essan Ehouan of the National Gendarmerie and a representative of UN Police explained their role to protect persons and property, reminding them that in case of trouble, they should first of all refer to

the local security forces who are being assisted by their UNOCI counterparts.



At the end of the discussion, the population expressed some of their concerns including the need for food aid, female genital excision, racketeering by members of the Ivorian armed forces and the enrolment of school children through the internet.



The Chief of Nanandi, Loua Lehou said he was happy with the exchange of ideas and promised to strengthen social cohesion and initiate development projects.



The 18th Moroccan Battalion of UNOCI based in Duekoue took the opportunity to distribute school kits to pupils and reams of paper and notebooks to teachers at the Nanandi government primary school.