Reconciliation should be pursued in an open and inclusive manner"The task of reconciliation and healing must remain a priority" for Côte d'Ivoire, Kofi Annan says after a two-day visit to Abidjan.

Following a two-day visit to Abidjan, former UN Secretary-General and member of The Elders Kofi Annan noted economic and security improvements in Côte d'Ivoire, however he emphasised the challenges facing the country and repeated The Elders' call for an inclusive reconciliation process.

During his visit on 17 and 18 January, Mr Annan met President Alassane Ouattara, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro and Charles Konan Banny, Chairman of the National Commission for Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation. He also met Bert Koenders, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of ONUCI, the UN peacekeeping operation in Côte d'Ivoire.

He said that reconciliation could not be completed overnight, nor should it be delayed. He added that it must be pursued in an open and inclusive manner to meet the people's expectations.

Mr Annan previously visited Côte d'Ivoire in May 2011 with Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, under the auspices of The Elders. During their May visit, the Elders also met President Ouattara and Mr Konan Banny, as well as former President Laurent Gbagbo and representatives of the vibrant Ivorian civil society.

Returning several months later, Mr Annan noted progress in several areas: the economy was reviving, security in Abidjan had improved and the recent legislative elections were generally peaceful.

Mr Annan cautioned however that major challenges still lay ahead as the country seeks to make up for a lost decade.

In separate discussions with the president and the prime minister, Mr Annan underlined the importance of tackling the reform of the security sector.