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| Africa Subsaharan | |
| Ouattara inaugurated as Ivory Coast president | |
| 2011-05-22 | |
| YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast - President Alassane Ouattara was inaugurated Saturday as Ivory Coast’s president in the stately ceremony he should have enjoyed six months ago, but was prevented from holding by the entrenched ruler who refused to accept his defeat at the polls and nearly dragged the nation into civil war in a bid to stay in power. The lavish ceremony on Saturday was attended by some 20 heads of state in a show of international support for the democratically elected leader. Ouattara used the occasion to underscore his legitimacy and the return to constitutional order, but also to reach out to the half of the country that had voted for his opponent. “The serious crisis that struck Ivory Coast the day after the election ... has been resolved democratically, respecting the will of the people,” Ouattara said in a speech after being garlanded with a golden chain, worn by all previous presidents. “This ceremony today is not about the victory of one side over another,” he said, “but about rediscovered brotherhood and new beginnings.” Tens of thousands of Ouattara’s supporters flooded the normally quiet city overnight, most of them sleeping on the sidewalk for a chance to glimpse the event. Women wore dresses made out of fabric printed with portraits of the 69-year-old Ouattara, while men wore lion masks, symbolizing Ouattara’s strength. French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived by special flight from Paris, and a United Nations helicopter ferried Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the event. Both were greeted with cries thanks from the crowd at the ceremony’s venue, acknowledging the key military assistance given by France and the U.N. to oust Gbagbo. “This is a historic day for democracy,” said Ban as he left the ceremony.
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| Posted by:Steve White |