On May 28, 2017, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for the Search for Peace paid tribute to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Aïchatou Mindaoudou, during a ceremony held at her Headquarters in Yamoussoukro. The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), whose mandate will expire on June 30, 2017, retroceded its radio station, UNOCI FM, to the FHB Foundation, which became Radio de la Paix On March 1, 2017. In addition, vehicles have already been offered by the UN institution for the operation of this radio.
The Secretary General of the FHB Foundation, Prof. Jean-Noël Loucou, opened the series of speeches and underlined the magnanimity of the Head of UNOCI and expressed his gratitude for his actions of social cohesion, which allowed the return of Peace in Côte d’Ivoire. He did not fail to recall the perfect collaboration between the institution he headed and UNOCI for the implementation of several activities throughout Côte d’Ivoire. “Stay this vagabond of peace that contributes to its rooting,” he said.
Mrs. Mariétou Koné, Minister of Solidarity, Women and Child Protection and guest of honor for this ceremony, was represented by her chief of staff, Pr. Kouamé N’guessan. He thanked the Head of UNOCI for the positive results she had achieved at the head of the UN mission.
For her part, Ms Mindaoudou wanted to dedicate this tribute to her predecessors and to all of her collaborators, some of whom were present at this ceremony. She said that the withdrawal of UNOCI should be a source of pride for the Ivorians because for her: “the maintenance of a peace mission in a country is an anomaly and a bad signal”. Finally, she urged all Ivorians to invest individually and collectively in order to consolidate a lasting peace in Côte d’Ivoire.
This tribute ceremony saw the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the transfer of the archives of the radio UNOCI FM to the FHB Foundation. Ms. Mindaoudou then offered the FHB Foundation documents and gadgets related to the promotion of peace.
The end of this ceremony was marked by the presentation of presents to Mrs Mindaoudou by the FHB Foundation and especially the unveiling of the plaque of the Radio de la Paix studio bearing its name.
It is noteworthy that some distinguished personalities have enhanced the presence of this ceremony, including the Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union in Côte d’Ivoire Mrs Joséphine Charlotte Mayuma Kala, Ambassador of Niger, His Excellency Moussa Aloua, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Vladimir Baykov, Governor of the Autonomous District of Yamoussoukro Mr. Augustin Thiam, Prefect of the Department of Yamoussoukro Mr. Brou Kouame and religious dignitaries.