In Ivory Coast,
the candidacy of outgoing President Alassane Ouattara for a third term at the head of the country continues to be controversial nationally and internationally. After a long silence, the French government decided to give its position on the issue.
Indeed, the government of Emmanuel Macron has spoken on the candidacy of President Alassane Ouattara for a third term in Ivory Coast through the support of Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian. The French executive stressed that this issue fell under the sovereignty of the country.
“There is a democratic process, I am not responsible for appreciating the constitution. It would be interference, ”Le Drian suggested to the French parliament’s foreign affairs committee. He added that “President Ouattara wished to stand again, it is his free choice”. One way of making people understand that France cannot meddle in the affairs of a sovereign country despite their proximity.
However, Le Drian indicated that France’s wish is for the Ivorian presidential election to take place “in peace and for the inhabitants of the Ivory Coast to be able to express themselves freely”. Note that this intervention comes at a time when many are asking the question of France’s real position in relation to this controversial candidacy of Ouattara. Suddenly, it is now clear that Paris has no objection to Ouattara seeking a new term as head of his country.
