Alassane Ouattara: "The [announced] departure of Barkhane and Takuba creates a vacuum"
Audio 17:35
The President of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara.
© RFI / France 24
By: Marc Perelman |
Christophe Boisbouvier Follow
1 min
In an exclusive interview with RFI and France 24, Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara does not hide his concern at the announced departure of French and European military forces from Mali.
Advertising
"
The departure of Barkhane and Takuba creates a vacuum,
" says Alassane Ouattara.
We will be obliged to increase our defense forces and increase the protection of our borders.
»
On the heavy sanctions decided by ECOWAS against Mali, on January 9, the Ivorian head of state affirms: “
We did not seek to punish the Malian people, but ECOWAS has rules.
We are waiting for the government and the junta to prepare a reasonable timetable for us and for the sanctions to be gradually lifted
”.
Asked about his candidacy or not for the Ivorian presidential election in 2025, Alassane Ouattara replies: “
I am not looking for a job at 80 years old.
I hope that in 2025 Ivorians will choose someone younger than me and my predecessors
”.
Asked about Laurent Gbagbo's hostility to a bill establishing an age limit for presidential candidates, he replied: “
Laurent Gbagbo is not the Republic
”.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
Africa
Ivory Coast
mali
sahel