Abidjan – The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, was honored on Thursday, with the title of honorary citizen of Cotê D’Ivoire.
In a ceremony held at the Cultural Hotel Du District in Abidjan, as part of the view of Cotê d'Ivoire, Joäo Lourenço received from the hands of the governor of the Autonomous District of Abidjan, Ibrahim Cisse Bacongo, the parchment and the key to the city of Abidjan.
A traditional ceremony followed, carried out by the authorities of the Atchan tribe, which symbolically makes him one of the chiefs of this ethnic group, named Afran.
He received the main traditional attributes due to Atcham's notoriety, especially the clothes, accessories and staff.
President João Lourenço expressed his honor with the recognition, which is proof that “we are one people, we are Africans”.
It also shows, according to the statesman, the respect that African countries have for traditional power.
“I wholeheartedly accept the title given to me, Afran, even though it is symbolic. This symbolism is very strong, it struck us very deeply, and it is with all sincerity that we say that it is a happy surprise that helps to seal the bonds of friendship and cooperation that exist between the two countries and peoples”, he stated.
João Lourenço said that countries have a responsibility to seek to develop their economies in the interests of the well-being of both peoples.
Therefore, he stressed, this visit to Cotê de d’Ivoire is justified to try to make the most of the existing potential of cooperation between both countries that has been underutilized for a long period.
'We understand that the time has come to make up for lost time. Therefore, today we signed 14 agreements and when two countries initial this number of protocols there is no need to say anything more”, he assured.
However, he continued, the message has been conveyed that both countries are interested in becoming increasingly closer and seeking to develop cooperation as much as possible. ART/DOJ
