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[NEW YORK/ ABIDJAN, 4 September 2007] - Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, will be visiting Côte d’Ivoire from 4 to 7 September 2007. The aim of this field mission is to ascertain first hand the situation of children and to increase cooperation with stakeholders to ensure greater protection for children under the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement. Ms. Coomaraswamy will pay particular attention to the follow-up of action plans aimed at releasing children from armed groups and reintegrating them into their communities. She will also address the issue sexual violence against children in the aftermath of the conflict. The UN Special Representative will meet with the Government as well as relevant non-State actors, members of civil society, NGOs and children affected by conflict. The mission will follow-up on the recommendations of the Security Council based on the Secretary General's report on the situation of children and armed conflict in Côte d’Ivoire and Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005). Further information