EMBASSY NEWSCENTRE

Press Releases

Ambassador to Make Push for Peace on Trip to New Forces Territory

Ambassador Hooks met with Muslim leaders during his first trip to the North (Photo: Lt. Col. Patrick Doyle/US Embassy)

In a significant boost to the peace process, American Ambassador Aubrey Hooks will embark on Thursday, July 6, 2006, on an unprecedented week-long overland journey through New Forces-controlled territory in Northern Cote d’Ivoire.  The trip will take the Ambassador and his delegation through several towns, including Man, Odienne, and Ferke.  During his visit the Ambassador plans to exchange with local leaders and community group on the progress being made toward peace and to encourage them to continue their efforts towards identification, disarmament, and reunification.

“The United States’ engagement in the Ivoirian peace process goes far beyond Abidjan and political declarations,” U.S. Embassy Spokesman Brett Bruen.  “The Ambassador believes that by engaging actors at all levels and in all parts of the country we can help to strengthen the peace process through building channels of communication and understanding.  We seek to better understand the realities on the ground by listening to those whose voices have too often not been heard.”

The United States has already begun working to address needs of the population in the North.  The Ambassador also plans to visit HIV/AIDS centers that are being built in the North, as part of the American President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.  This latest trip follows on the Ambassador’s trip earlier this year where he traveled to Bouake and Korhogo.