Abidjan, 17 June 2010... UNOCI welcomes the cantonment process of ex-combatants of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN), which started in Korhogo this week and encourages all the concerned parties to ensure that the process progresses, the deputy spokesman for the Mission, Kenneth Blackman, said during the weekly press conference which was being held in Guibéroua, 350 km from Abidjan, as part of UNOCI Days.

The Mission also encourages the Ivorian parties to continue with their efforts with regard to the launching of the appeals process on the provisional electoral list, Mr. Blackman added. Responding to a question on the possibility of organizing the elections this year, the deputy spokesman said that a pre-condition for choosing a date for elections or a timetable, was the production of a definitive electoral list.

Turning to a different issue, Mr. Blackman announced that an inter-community meeting was being held today in Bako, in Odienné district. UNOCI had initiated these discussions between cattle breeders and farmers in an effort to put an end to misunderstandings which had resulted in violence between the two groups during the past few months, he explained. "Dialogue is important and it should be strengthened in order to achieve tolerance, » said the deputy spokesman.

He also said that another inter-community meeting had been taking place in Grand-Djourou since 14 June, with several representatives of various communities living in the locality. Mr. Blackman said that the meeting which will go on until 25 June, was part of the Mission's support to efforts to promote social cohesion in Côte d'Ivoire.

The meeting, organised in collaboration with the Sectoral Group for the Protection and Consolidation of Peace, unites UN agencies, international NGOs and three Ivorian ministries. It is headed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Concerning the Mission's activities, Mr. Blackman announced that UNOCI was organising a celebration of UN Security Council Resolution 1820, on 18 and 19 June in Toumodi, in collaboration with Ivorian authorities. «The different activities initiated for the occasion are aimed at sensitising the population in an effort to involve them in the fight against sexual violence,» the deputy spokesman explained. In 2009, the commemoration of the resolution was celebrated in Danané.

During this World Cup period, Mr. Blackman also outlined the Mission's activities to encourage the population to relive together the exploits of their national football team, the Elephants, by organizing public screenings of the matches in several towns throughout Côte d'Ivoire. "It also provides a platform for UNOCI to promote messages of peace and sensitise the population on creating a peaceful electoral environment, non-violence and respect for children's rights as we celebrate the International Day of the African Child,» he said.

With regard to the Mission's « Sport for Peace » programme, Mr. Blackman said that a football tournament for peace was being held in Adzopé on 18 June and will be followed by a similar event in Facobly, on 22 June.

The deputy spokesman then responded to journalists' concerns, which were mainly focused on the FAFN cantonment process, UNOCI's mandate and its support to the different operations.

Concerning the first point, Mr. Blackman said that the Mission had supported the cantonment process by rehabilitating some of the sites used in the operation. He also said that meetings had been held at the start of the cantonment, before explaining the Mission's 1000 microprojects programme aimed at providing income-generating activities for ex-combatants and young people at risk.

Explaining UNOCI's mandate, which is primarily to support the implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, the deputy spokesman recalled that the Mission provides technical, logistical and security support to the electoral process, and various other aspects of the Agreement.

Earlier, the deputy spokesman had explained the concept of UNOCI Days, which started yesterday with medical consultations during which more than 400 people were treated by the Moroccan contingent.