Like other members of the international community, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) , on Saturday, 21 September 2013 , commemorated International Day of Peace. From Abengourou to Odienné, through Bondoukou, Fresco, Duékoué and Toulepleu, the United Nations mission celebrated peace with the Ivorians.



In Abengourou, situated some 210 km from Abidjan, the celebration took place in the presence of several local authorities and partners. For Zina Luke, the coordinator of UNOCI's office in Abengourou, who read out the message of Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, the massive attendance by the local authorities and partners to that event, was the proof of their interest in the United Nations' work all over the world.



For his part, the representative of the Prefect of the region and the Department of Abengourou, Ouattara Kouassi, urged the population

to put into practice the culture of peace and to teach it to their children early in their childhood.



The President of the civil society platform, Bédia Kohe , the President of the Federation of women Movements of Abengourou ( FEMFECA ) Koufimba Koné, the youth president, Adou Desire and the had of Abengourou Office of Save The Children, Adja Pelagie, emphasized the importance of peace, education and children's rights.



The ceremony ended with the final of a Maracana competition at a playground known as the Square of peace and reconciliation.



In Bondoukou, the celebration consisted of military parades, military intervention drills, a Maracana competition, and a 100 m race. Most of these games were initiated by the Mobile Squadron of the National Gendarmerie to strengthen the cohesion between the army and civilians.



The Regional Coordinator of UNOCI, Prosper Rigue read the message of the UN Secretary-General. The public observed a one-minute silence in memory of United Nations personnel who lost their lives during conflicts and the survivors who still live each day with the trauma and pain.



Prosper Rigue, then, urged the players to always advocate the spirit of peace and fair play, before the Maracana competition started.



The Mission's office in Bas-Sassandra chose to celebrate the Day of peace in Fresco, in the region of Gbokle. Yacine Fall, the office coordinator of Bas-Sassandra, observed the same ritual as Bondoukou, while the Prefect of the Department Djezou Koffi asked the population to develop the culture of peace. "{The United Nations has based its strategy for the implementation of this culture by educating children, so that they can grow up with it}", he said.

For the resident Mayor, Grah Lobognon Desire, this Day was a plea for peace. "{We must ask ourselves what we should do for our country to live in peace}" he said.

The different sections of UNOCI explain the mandate and the role of the mission to the people who also received free medical consultations provided by the Niger Battalion based in San Pedro .



In Odienné young people from Bromakoté made a commitment to work with UNOCI as an example of peaceful coexistence and social cohesion. In a festive atmosphere, the message of the UN Secretary-General was read and the ceremony ended with sports after the different sections had presented their mandates and activities.