PH
Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara was sworn in for a third term in office on Monday despite opposition from his main political rivals and critics.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in the city of Abidjan and was attended by an at least 300 people, among them 10 heads of state from the continent.
The opposition boycotted the ceremony at the palace but independent presidential candidate Kouadio Konan Bertin was in attendance.
Ouattara in his speech called for a national dialogue in addition to condemning violence before, during and after the election which killed 85 people, according to government statistics.
“I renew my ambition to rebuild a more united Ivory Coast for a better future,” Ouattara said.
“We must work tirelessly with respect for our institutions.”
Ouattara also pledged to create a ministry in charge of national reconciliation in order “to consolidate social cohesion.”
