Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Fides Service )- “The news that the United Nations may take a more active role in the peace process has been welcomed by all in Ivory Coast” a local Church source in Abidjan, told Fides with regard to the arrival of a UN mission MINUCI to consider the possibility of presidential elections in 2005. MINUCI has the task of meeting electoral authorities, political parties and civil society to discuss the political, juridical and security conditions for an electoral process and its compatibility with the Agreement reached in France in January 2003, which put an end to civil war.
The delegation, headed by Algerian Nour Iddine Driss, UN director adjunct for electoral assistance, will also consider Ivory Coast’s technical, material and financial needs to organise the elections and establish its eventual role during the elections.
“UN involvement in Ivory Coast is important from the political and the psychological point of view” the sources told Fides. “Politically it could bring an impartial umpire for the battle between all the different political parties and psychologically it would help the people feel the international community has not abandoned them”.
The UN may also send peacekeepers to replace of French peace keeping troops presently in Ivory Coast to monitor the cease fire agreement signed by government and New Forces rebels who hold the north and west of the country. “The people would welcome a UN peacekeeping contingent. They complain that the French troops are always on one side or the other. A neutral peace keeping mission would help the advance of the peace process with the disarmament of both sides sanctioned by the highest international authority” local sources told Fides
For their part the Catholic Bishops of Ivory Coast have called on all Ivorians to make every effort to support to peace process. In a statement issued at the end of its 77th General assembly the Bishops’ Conference affirmed: “slowly but surely the country is walking towards peace. We urge all citizens, men and women, to accept events as they happen without tension and hostility but in a spirit of honesty, truth, forgiveness, reconciliation and confidence in God”.
The Bishops also announced their decision to establish a military chaplaincy “to provide spiritual and moral assistance to members of the armed forces and police”. They thanked the local Caritas workers “who did their utmost, despite difficulties and danger for their lives, to assist those in need during the war” and “parishes and people of good will for assisting refugees”.
The 77th Assembly General Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference of Ivory Coast was held 19 to 25 January in the diocese of San Pedro. The meeting was chaired by the Conference President by Archbishop Vital Komenan Yao, Archbishop of Bouake. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 39/1/2004, lines 45 words 546)
