The ceremony to present certificates to the management committees of eight Ivorian Sudanese-style mosques, which are now listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, took place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in Kong, located in the Tchologo region. The event was attended by several government officials, including the Minister of State and Minister of Defense, Téné Birahima Ouattara, and the Minister of Culture and Francophony, Françoise Remarck.
The certificates were presented to the mosques of Nambira (Poro region), Samatiguila (Kabadougou region), Kouto and Tengréla (Bagoué region), Sorobango (Gontougo region), Kaouara, and two mosques in Kong (Tchologo region).
During the ceremony, Téné Birahima Ouattara, President of the Tchologo Regional Council and sponsor of the event, praised the ministry and local communities for their years of work in protecting and promoting these religious buildings.
According to Françoise Remarck, the inclusion of these mosques on the UNESCO World Heritage list highlights their significance, not only for the local communities and Côte d'Ivoire but also for Africa and humanity as a whole. The Minister also announced that 20 other mosques of the same architectural style are currently being restored, out of the 300 listed in the northern region of the country.
She took the opportunity to offer special tribute to President Alassane Ouattara for establishing all the necessary tools for the development of the cultural industry and heritage.
Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, emphasized that this certificate presentation represents the recognition of Côte d'Ivoire's contribution to the World Heritage list and strengthens its role as a cultural crossroads in Africa. He assured that UNESCO will continue to support the preservation of these heritage sites.
Since July 21, 2021, these eight Ivorian Sudanese-style mosques have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. They are now part of the 1,223 sites listed globally as part of the World Heritage.