The city of Guiglo became a sea of white on Wednesday as thousands of citizens participated in the Grand Ouest Peace Forum, a four-day initiative led by the Cavally Regional Council to promote reconciliation and social cohesion in western Ivory coast.
The event began with a large, peaceful march from the town hall crossroads to the Place de la Paix Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where Anne Désirée Ouloto, President of the Regional Council, delivered a powerful address emphasizing the importance of peace.
“For decades, Côte d’Ivoire has suffered. Blood has been shed, families have been torn apart and displaced. But today, we are choosing peace, reconciliation, and living together,” Ouloto said.
She cautioned against divisive rhetoric in the lead-up to elections, stressing that democratic processes should not be a pretext for conflict. “A presidential election is not a call for war. It is a call for democracy. We must ward off bad luck and turn the page on conflict.”
Ouloto further clarified that the forum is a space for remembrance and commitment, not protest or revenge.
“It’s about remembering, not for revenge, but to say together: never again in Côte d’Ivoire.”
The forum brings together local leaders, experts, youth groups, women’s associations, and traditional authorities to strengthen intercommunity dialogue and foster sustainable peace.
“We only have one country. We have chosen to live together. We must do everything we can to make life beautiful here, to make everyone feel good,” she urged, calling on every citizen to become an active participant in peacebuilding.
Doh Dibahi Marcelin, President of the organizing committee, highlighted the forum’s theme: “The Great West, from war to restored peace,” underlining the collective responsibility required to build lasting unity.
Albert Flindé, Minister-Governor of the Mountain District, praised the initiative for its inclusivity, which mobilizes all sectors of society in support of harmony and development.
The Grand Ouest Peace Forum represents a decisive step toward securing a peaceful future for the region and for Ivory coast as a whole, reaffirming the country’s commitment to unity, dialogue, and reconciliation.
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