Sassandra, 29 June 2011...The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y.J. Choi, on Wednesday called on the population in Sassandra to massively get on the road to peace, adding that this part of the south west of the country could become the centre of reconciliation with regard to the forthcoming legislative elections.

Speaking at an information and discussion forum on the second day of the Mission's sensitisation campaign known as "UNOCI Days", in the town, situated 296 km southwest of Abidjan, Mr. Choi reiterated the commitment of UNOCI and the friends of Côte d'Ivoire to accompany the authorities and the people in their efforts to establish social cohesion and national reconciliation – conditions which are necessary for the revival of the economy and the return to normality. He stressed that each San-Andrean (as the people of Sassandra are known) must play their role in the reconciliation process. "It is hand in hand that we can make our contribution to strengthen social cohesion and national reconciliation," he explained, calling on everyone to take initiatives within their communities and families to support the country.

The Prefect of Sassandra, Soro Bakari, gave a short presentation on the painful effects of the post-electoral crisis in this cosmopolitan area which was once very prosperous. "The difficult times that this area went through were aggravated by Liberian mercenaries who passed through here and caused extensive human and material destruction, said Mr. Soro. He then outlined the dreadful toll of these atrocities. "More than 100 people were killed, about 30 wounded, nearly 2000 were displaced and some 500 homes destroyed or burnt in five neighbourhoods in the sub-district of Sago and in three villages in the sub-district of Sassandra," he said. In this regard he asked for UNOCI's assistance in the form of food and non food items, medical and shelter....

Addressing the population in his district, Mr. Soro called on them to reconcile their efforts to restore and strengthen social cohesion and national reconciliation. "If we do not want the facade of reconciliation, we must fight evil at the root, with truth and good faith, by way of forgiveness," he stressed. He then thanked UNOCI for the initiative which, the Prefect said, presented the opportunity to sensitize the population on the essential topics of the Days.
During the ceremony which took place in Place de Saint Esprit in the town, the spokespersons for traditional chiefs, women, youths, the media and the Forces républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI), took turns to present the outcome of their workshops on how they can contribute to strengthening social cohesion and reconciliation.

The traditional chiefs and representatives of religious communities, after discussing the reasons for the social breakdown, made proposals and recommendations to remedy them. They said that they intended to carry out daily activities to sensitise people on peace and social cohesion.

The women decided they would increase their sensitisation activities within their families and communities. They said that from now on they would use dialogue to resolve their differences.

For their part, the youths said that they would like to see the companies which closed during the crisis, reopen, as this would give them the opportunity to find employment. They also asked for income-generating activities, even if according to them, the youths in Sassandra lack creative and fighting spirit. The young people said they were committed to becoming involved in the peace process and urged UNOCI to carry its voice high.

The correspondents of the press and local radio presenters expressed their willingness to become media professionals who respect the ethics and deontology of their trade. They promised to set up a platform of exchange which will make their mission as agents of peace and social cohesion more effective. They also appealed to UNOCI for assistance in providing equipment for the local radio and a partnership with ONUCI FM, the Mission's radio.

The FRCI workshop was marked by complaints about the need to rehabilitate police stations and prisons.

Earlier, the Special Representative and members of the local authorities planted trees in the grounds of the offices of the local authorities. The ceremony ended with a boat race on the River Sassandra.