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Normalcy Returns to Cote d'Ivoire, Says Envoy

This Day (Lagos)
NEWS
May 26, 2003
Posted to the web May 27, 2003

By Kunle Aderinokun
Abuja
Ivoirien Ambassador to Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, Emile M'Lingui Keffa,
has said that normal life in the war-torn Cote d'Ivoire was gradually coming
back to normal.
Speaking to THISDAY in an interview at the occasion of the 40th anniversary of
the African Union (AU), Keffa disclosed that a ceasefire agreement has been
signed thus allowing free movement of people from one place to the other.
According to Keffa, "In Cote d'Ivoire, thanks to ECOWAS and our international
partners, the situation is progressively, gradually coming back to normal.
Practically in the last three weeks, there has been no fighting. There was a
ceasefire agreement which has been well respected, and people have started
moving from one area to the other. And we have formed a government, which
comprised the rebel and the regular government. The situation is getting better
and we hope that it will normalize very soon."
On the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) passport recently
adopted by the West African countries, the Ambassador noted that the passport
was a very important step towards the integration of Africa as it will
facilitate business transactions, amongst others across the sub-region and by
extension Africa.
The passport, he stressed will also be a symbol of solidarity and unity among
Africans that travel out of the continent.

   

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