Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (PANA) – Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara called on Wednesday on his compatriots to unite and take stock of the situation in the country as the nation celebrates its 54th independence anniversary Thursday.
Speaking in a televised interview, he said “the 54th anniversary of Ivorian accession to national and international sovereignty is an important and special day.”
President Ouattara said: “Cote d’Ivoire is today 54 years. 54 years is maturity. I see the Independence Day as an almost sacred day. This is why I did not respond favorably to the invitation of the American president, Barack Obama, to attend the US-African Leaders’ Summit.
“I told the White House that I prefer to stay in Abidjan to celebrate with my fellow citizens, the national independence day.”
