The UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the Ivorian Authority for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (ADDR) on 30 October 2014 launched a project for the benefit of ex-combatants and the village communities in Beoue, near Bangolo, 532 km north-west of Abidjan.

Some 25 ex-combatants and five villagers will benefit from the project which entails the production, processing and marketing of cassava and its by-products.



Speaking at the launching, Jean Ntanga Ntita of UNOCI DDR division expressed gratitude to the traditional authorities for their involvement in collection of arms from ex-combatants and said the project was to enable the ex-combatants and the communities create conditions for successful social cohesion. "As soon as the project is concretised, you would no longer be ex-combatants or beneficiaries but you would become partners in the project thanks to the choice you made in handing over your weapons," he said.

On his part, the ADDR representative said he was happy the crisis had come to an end and considered it was now time for development. "The war is over; we must embark on development for your benefit. The community should support you in order to succeed. Hand over your weapons and come and sit around the development table," he said.

As for the 4th assistant to the Mayor of Beoue, Antoine Zahe, "this project has all the makings of success since it concerns the production of attieke and starch among others. I call on you to take it serious by going to work. It could become a big project capable of creating jobs in the locality," he said

Agnes Doua, the manager of the NGO 'Action pour le development et la protection de la famille', which was chosen to implement the project, called on the members of the community to follow up the progress of the project in order to ensure its success.

The Sub Prefect of Bangolo central, Soumaila Soualio Kolo called on the beneficiaries to take good care of the project. "This project would facilitate social cohesion and the reinsertion of ex-combatants. I call on those still in possession of arms to hand them over for their own good because these weapons have no place on the road to development," he pointed out.