Côte d'Ivoire: Youth in Daloa Mobilize for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding

In Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire, a group of young people recently came together to strengthen their commitment to preventing conflicts and promoting social cohesion in the Haut-Sassandra region. This gathering was an early celebration of the National Peace Day, organized by the Youth Sounding Board. The meeting was chaired by Irié Bi Ya Charles Marius, the sub-prefect of Zaïbo.

The event brought together numerous young individuals from neighborhood and village associations, led by Traoré Dokoulo, the regional delegate of the National Youth Council of Côte d'Ivoire (CNJCI). The theme of the celebration was "Youth, conflict prevention, and social cohesion: what commitment to preserve peace in Haut-Sassandra?" The young people were reminded of their responsibility in maintaining a peaceful social climate, especially in a region that has experienced community tensions and electoral violence.

Traoré Dokoulo urged the young people to make peace a daily behavior based on mutual respect, tolerance, and dialogue. He also encouraged them to preserve the calming dynamic observed in the region since the 2025 elections. Estelle Maître, the program officer of the European Union (EU) in Côte d'Ivoire, emphasized that young people can play a significant role in preventing violence due to their proximity to community realities.

The EU has established the Youth Sounding Board as a consultative body to gather young people's aspirations and concerns, incorporating them into the design and implementation of EU programs and initiatives. Maître encouraged the young people to participate in citizen initiatives and peacebuilding programs supported by the EU. The sub-prefect of Zaïbo also advised the young people to prioritize dialogue in resolving their disputes.

The sub-prefect recommended that the young people "agree on your disagreements" and avoid using violence, which he said never definitively resolves disputes. The celebration included a panel discussion on "what commitments to preserve peace in Haut-Sassandra?" and the distribution of the Charter of the Positive Young Citizen, which outlines 10 commitments that the public was invited to sign electronically.

According to the organizers, a football match dedicated to peace was also planned to close the mobilization day. The event aimed to raise awareness among young people about their role in maintaining peace and social cohesion in the region. The young people were encouraged to take an active part in promoting peace and stability in their communities.

The initiative was supported by the European Union, which recognizes the crucial role that young people can play in preventing conflicts and promoting peace. The Youth Sounding Board was established to ensure that young people's voices are heard and taken into account in the design and implementation of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability in Côte d'Ivoire.

Key points

• Young people in Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire, are taking an active role in promoting conflict prevention and social cohesion in the Haut-Sassandra region.
• The European Union supports initiatives that promote peace and stability in Côte d'Ivoire, including the Youth Sounding Board.
• The event aimed to raise awareness among young people about their role in maintaining peace and social cohesion in the region.