Staff of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) visited the village of Pona II (530 km north-west of Abidjan) on Tuesday 3 June 2014 to sensitise the population on the need to maintain social cohesion.

UNOCI's Public Information representative told the people that it was important to have diverse sources of information in order to manage rumours more efficiently. Mr. Pierre Aby reminded them not to forget that "the maintenance of social cohesion requires the respect for a code of conduct which forbids all forms of violence against women including rape and forced marriages which have a negative impact on the victims."

The Civil Affairs representative, Jean Emile Vincent Nkiranuye told the population that respect for authority begins with respect for the village chief, explaining that the respect for cultural differences and the peaceful resolution of conflicts contributes to the maintenance of social cohesion and promotes the development of the community.

Mr. Deo Murhirwa of UN Police stressed on the need for security as a condition for development. "When there is security there is also peace. That is the objective of UNOCI. I call on you to report all cases of rape and crime or run the risk of facing the same punishment as the perpetrators," he cautioned.