UNOCI CHIEF DISCUSSES IVORIAN PEACE PROCESS WITH SECRETARY-GENERAL OF OIF

Abidjan, 04 August 2011...The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, on Thursday, 4 August 2011, met with two personalities, said the Spokesman of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Hamadoun Touré.

Speaking during the Mission's weekly press conference, Mr. Touré said that the first meeting was with the Secretary-General of the International Francophonie Organisation, Abdou Diouf, who is on a two-day visit to Abidjan. "They discussed various aspects of the peace process, highlighting the remaining tasks, such as the security and human rights challenges, as well as preparations for legislative elections," said Mr. Touré. He also said that Mr. Choi had outlined the initiatives taken by UNOCI in all the key areas to support the Ivorian Government.

The second meeting was between the head of the UN Mission and the Ivorian Secretary of State for Defence, Paul Koffi Koffi, to discuss issues of common interest, mainly on UNOCI's contribution to strengthening security in the country, especially in the west. "On this subject, they will discuss the eight military camps in the west and centre of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the one in Aboisso. UNOCI troops have already been deployed in these camps," said the Spokesman.

With regard to security, Mr. Touré said that the force had carried out 1,280 ground and air patrols throughout the country during the past week.

The Spokesman also announced that UN Police had disbursed $100,000 to help the Ivorian police restart its normal activities in Abidjan. "Computers and office furniture will be donated (this Thursday) to the National Police School, the Territorial Surveillance Unit and the police stations in Adjamé and Plateau. Other services will also benefit from this donation," said Mr. Touré.

Turning to other matters, the Spokesman said that UNOCI's Human Rights Division (HRD) had carried out a mission in the north of Côte d'Ivoire, namely in Odienné, Korhogo and Boundiali. The aim of the mission, explained Mr. Touré, "was to visit people who were under house arrest or detained there after the regime change, to inquire about their conditions of detention".

The mission will end with a press conference given by the head of the delegation, Guillaume Ngefa, who is in charge of the Division, to talk about "what lessons can be drawn from the contacts they had". He recalled that similar missions had been organized by other members of the Division in Abidjan, during which they visited several detainees, including the journalist Hermann Aboa, presenter of a television programme Raison d'Etat, shown on the main channel of Radio Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI), from December 2010 to April 2011. "Hemann Aboa has been held at the Gendarmerie Camp in Agban since 21 July 2011," said Mr. Touré.

Concerning its local sensitization activities, UNOCI will continue to organise these in several regions in the country, namely Boundiali (Savanes), Issia (Haut Sassandra), Duekoué (Moyen Cavally), Bouaflé (Marahoué) and Bondoukou in the Zanzan region. Mr. Touré said that the aim would be to meet the population and help them to become involved in promoting social cohesion and reconciliation. "We will do so through our sports activities and discussions, in collaboration with traditional and municipal authorities, women's organisations and youth groups," he added.

The Spokesman also said that several other local activities were being planned to support partners of the Mission, with regard to Ivorian Independence Day celebrations. "UNOCI wishes Ivorians all the best in their celebrations," said Mr. Touré.