On Monday, June 16, 2025, the President of the Republic, H.E. Alassane OUATTARA, received at the Presidential Palace the Letters of Credence from five (5) new Ambassadors accredited to Côte d’Ivoire.

They are Their Excellencies Fabrice BOUSSOUGOU BOUSSOUGOU (Gabon), Alseny Moba SYLLA (Guinea), Paul Benoit Barka SARR (Senegal), John MARSHALL (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), and LE KIM QUY (Vietnam).

The ceremony followed the established protocol, namely the presentation to the President of the Republic by the new Ambassador of the recall letter of his predecessor; the Letter of Credence accrediting the new diplomat in Côte d’Ivoire; an exchange with the Head of State; a press statement; and military honors.

In their statements to the press, all five new Ambassadors expressed their admiration for the structural transformation and development achieved by our country in recent years under the leadership of President Alassane OUATTARA, thereby granting Côte d’Ivoire a prominent place among nations at the subregional, continental, and international levels.

They all praised the excellent relations between Côte d’Ivoire and their respective countries and pledged to work towards strengthening and consolidating these bonds of friendship and cooperation in various fields, notably political, economic, and commercial, as well as in culture, agriculture, and investment.

The Minister, Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic, Mr. Fidèle SARASSORO, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, Mr. Léon Kacou ADOM, and members of the presidential cabinet attended the ceremony.

At midday, the Head of State held talks with the Mayor of Paris, Mrs. Anne HIDALGO, who is also President of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF).

Mrs. HIDALGO took the opportunity to express her special affection for Côte d’Ivoire as well as the immense work accomplished by President Alassane OUATTARA at the head of our country.

She recalled the important role played by the Ivorian Head of State in supporting the bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games of the City of Paris.

The Mayor of Paris also indicated that she took advantage of this meeting with the President of the Republic to discuss matters related to the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF) and the major role played by our country in the balances of the subregion and Africa as a whole.

It should be noted that the Minister of the Interior and Security, Mr. Diomandé VAGONDO, and the Minister of Hydraulics, Sanitation and Cleanliness, Mr. Bouaké FOFANA, also took part in this meeting.