ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire, February 6, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Summary of UNOCI weekly press conference (Abidjan, 02 February 2012)

The UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) on Thursday February 2 2012 conducted a voluntary disarmament operation in Abidjan in collaboration with the Ivorian authorities, Deputy UNOCI spokesman Kenneth Blackman announced today.

Speaking at UNOCI's weekly press conference, Mr. Blackman said the operation was being conducted in collaboration with the Ivorian Police and gendarmerie as well as the National Commission for the fight against the proliferation of light and small caliber firearms.

According to the Deputy spokesman, the operation which began on February 1 continued today Thursday in the district of Abobo and would be repeated in Attecoube on February 8 and 9, 2012 following a similar exercise last December.

“These voluntary disarmament operations are part of an exercise launched in June, 2011,” Mr. Blackman indicated.

With regard to the mission's sensitization campaigns to, promote a peaceful environment, the Deputy spokesman disclosed that a workshop on social cohesion would be held in Touba on February 9 and would bring together the elites of the Bafing region. UNOCI's school caravan, a campaign organised for students and pupils to educate them on the work of the UN mission and the organization as a whole as well as raise awareness on the need for a peaceful environment in schools,, will take place on February 8 in Bouna, he added.

These sensitization sessions usually involve the school and local educational authorities concerned, Mr. Blackman pointed out.

Responding to a question on the reaction of UNOCI to the pronouncement of the ruling of the Constitutional Council regarding petitions related to the legislative election, the Deputy spokesman said” as soon as UNOCI receives a full report of the decision announced by the Council, it would react.”