Korhogo, 26 November 2009... The Civil Affairs Section of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), on Tuesday, completed a series of meetings that it initiated between the population in five villages in the north of Côte d'Ivoire to sensitize them on the peaceful management of disputes, in Kassoumbarga, in the sub-prefecture of Korhogo.

The villages involved - Denembolo, Djihi, Sèhèlè, Noufon and Nitchon - all situated in savanes region – have faced social tension related to rural land tax problems.

Addressing the population during the closing ceremony of the meetings, the Sub-Prefect of Korhogo, Mr. Kouadio Eugène, urged them to stay together, to rely on local authorities for the resolution of conflicts within the strict framework of the law on rural land tax of 1998. With reference to this law, the regional director of agriculture, Ouattara Adama, said that its application preserves and guarantees land owners' rights. "The law ensures equality between populations while guaranteeing social cohesion [...] so subscribe to its implementation of this law in the region," he advised.

El Hadj Bara Dieng, from UNOCI's Civil Affairs Section, recalled that these meetings were within the framework of efforts started by government authorities and the populations themselves with a view to reinforcing social cohesion. "For UNOCI it is about creating a peaceful environment through this project," he said.

The representative of the Ministry of National Reconciliation, Mr. Yao Koffi Michel, reaffirmed the availability of his Ministry to stand beside UNOCI in the search for a lasting peace.

Representatives of UNOCI's Human Rights and Public Information Divisions, as well as the NGO, Animation Rurale de Korhogo, attended the ceremony.