Global perspective Human stories

UN mission launches nationwide radio broadcast in divided Côte d'Ivoire

UN mission launches nationwide radio broadcast in divided Côte d'Ivoire

media:entermedia_image:14290ae4-9231-47b8-965a-2ab095ceaeb9
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire launched its radio station today to broadcast various shades of opinion on an FM frequency it hopes will be heard all over the country as the divided West African country works towards re-unification.

Calling the radio station a partner in the peace progress, the station’s chief said its aim was to relay open and honest dialogue, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said today.

Every opinion would be welcome, as long as broadcasters avoided insults and acrimonious exchanges, he said.

The station carries the name of the peacekeeping mission's French acronym, ONUCI-FM.

The establishment of the radio responds to a February 2004 Security Council resolution establishing the mission. That text mandated ONUCI to promote understanding of the peace process among local communities and the parties "through an effective public information capacity, including the establishment, as necessary, of a United Nations radio broadcasting capability."