Korhogo, 18 August 2008...The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, called on the Forces Nouvelles authorities in Korhogo on Saturday, to present as soon as possible, and within four weeks, 10 micro-projects to assist with the re-insertion of ex-combatants living in the region.

"This initiative aims to give ex-combatants a new opportunity, the alternative of seeing a future with brighter prospects," explained Special Representative Choi, speaking before local administrative and elected officials and officers from the Forces Nouvelles at the residence of Auguste Tahan, the Prefect of the region.

Choi went on to explain that if the electoral campaign begins while ex-combatants are idle, this could present a threat to the security situation and the peace process, which has registered significant progress since the signing of the Ouagadougou Political Accord (OPA).

The head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) made the remarks while visiting Korhogo, capital of the Savanes region, as part of a tour to explain the UNOCI-backed "1000 Micro-projects" initiative, aimed at assisting with the economic reinsertion of ex-fighters and young people at risk throughout the country. The Special Representative noted that the general elections, which are designed to restore political stability to Côte d'Ivoire, are scheduled to take place in three-and-a-half months. These projects, he explained, "will contribute to a secure and stable environment and will give ex-combatants the possibility to pursue noble activities as opposed to turning to banditry and threatening society".

Mr Choi explained that the four million dollars being used to finance the projects was provided by the UN Peace Building Fund, and that the programme was created following concerns expressed by Ivorian authorities and the Facilitator of the Ivorian direct dialogue with regard to the future of ex-combatants.

The Special Representative added that this initiative fits into the framework of support for the national programme for the reinsertion and reintegration of ex-fighters and former members of auto-defense groups, which is mounted by the Ivorian Government and supported by international partners such as the World Bank and bilateral donors.

The head of UNOCI's Disarmement, Demobilisation and Reinsertion (DDR) programme, Sida Ould Zahabi, who is among UN and government officials traveling with Choi, explained the practical aspects of the micro-projects and applications for funding for such projects.

Lieutenant Mamadou Tiémé of the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles, assured the UNOCI delegation that the message was well understood both by the Forces Nouvelles authorities and by the potential beneficiaries, the ex-combatants, who are now waiting for the National Programme for Reinsertion and Community Rehabilitation (PNRRC) to process their demobilisation. "We have already begun the work, and we have already identified a number of potential projects. We can assure you that we are fully into the sensitization and regrouping stage of the process," he explained, stressing that the need to help ex-combatants to take care of themselves was a major concern of the Forces Nouvelles.

The Prefect of the region, Auguste Tahan, stated that he and his colleagues were committed to undertaking a widespread sensitization campaign and to adhere to the time limits set for the micro-projects, as soon as the PNRRC takes care of the ex-combatants.

The Special Representative's delegation then met with UN agencies and their regional partners to update them on this programme. Following this meeting, and before leaving to visit the northwestern town of Odiénné, the delegation visited the town of Napié, some 20 km south of Korhogo, to speak with local authorities about the 1000 Micro-projects operation.