UNOCI educates Djom and Herebo population on its mandate

The grassroots sensitization campaign of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) dubbed "ONUCI Tour" made a stop-over in Djom et Herebo , in the Sub Prefecture of Goumere on Friday 23 May 2014 to educate the population on the mandate of the UN Mission and helping them to know their rights and obligations as well as the need for a peaceful electoral environment.



Speaking to the people in the two villages located some 400 km north-east of Abidjan, UNOCI's Coordinator in Bondoukou summarized the UN Mandate to include the protection of the civilian population, restoring state authority, and supporting administrative authorities in promoting social cohesion and national reconciliation. "The village must live in harmony. If you understand each other, development would come. Be united in the interest of the village," he said.

The Public Information representative, Mrs. Betche Aminata said the role of her office was to inform the population on the activities of the UN Mission. She urged them to maintain social cohesion and a peaceful pre-electoral environment.



Mrs. Josephine of Degbehouan of UN Police spoke of the consequences of early pregnancies and called on parents to discuss the issue and other subjects considered taboo with their offspring as much as they can.

For his part, the Sub Prefect of Goumere, Guillaume Bi Irie called on them to respect the village chief and to put all their problems to him before bringing them to the Sub Prefect. He explained the importance of the ongoing general population census and the need for parents to declare all births in the village.

Mr. Irie called on the youths to avoid idleness and told them to take their destiny into their hands.



Mrs. Betcho Brigitte of the legal clinic called on parents to declare births, enroll children in school and pay taxes in order to enable the state to finance development projects.



Lt. Apollinaire Abonou called on the people to consult his service to learn about crops adapted ton climate change and the need for reforestation.

The chiefs of the two villages, Nanan Pascal Yao Dapa and Lucien Adou thanked UNOCI for the initiative and good advice given and expressed the need for the electrification of the village.