Ouatarra Has No Problem With Ghana – Guillaume Soro

The Alassane Ouatarra-led government of Ivory Coast says it has no qualms with Ghana over its stance on the political turmoil that bedevilled the country since November 2010.

It has similarly debunked rumours that Ghana provided mercenaries and arms in support of former President Laurent Gbagbo.

The Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, Guillaume Soro, said these at the Castle, Osu on Monday May 2, when he met with President Mills to invite him for the swearing-in ceremony of the UN-backed President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouatarra scheduled for May 21.

Prime Minister Soro said Mr. Ouatarra and President Mills have been talking to each other over the phone contrary to reports that Ghana’ president does not support the new president due to his perceived friendship with the ousted Laurent Gbagbo.

“I categorically deny this information because it’s false. The war started and we arrested the former President Laurent Gbagbo and no Ghanaian was arrested as part of the people who were assisting him. I came here to thank President Atta Mills for the fact that during the war, nothing was taken as arms from Ghana. I want to thank him for his involvement in the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire”, Mr Soro declared after the meeting.

“There were no arms or mercenaries from Ghana in Cote d’Ivoire” he noted.
On his part, President Mills reiterated the need for the new Ivorian government to ensure peace in the country, and promised Ghana’s support in helping restore normalcy in the West African nation.

“Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are brothers and sisters. We are the same. So whatever happens in Cote d’Ivoire affects us here in Ghana. We would never want to see anything go wrong in Cote d’Ivoire because its implications for us are enormous. So I want you to be assured that just as you have done behind the scenes in a way we consider for diplomacy, we will continue to do it”.

“We are prepared to offer any help that Cote d’Ivoire needs in order to restore that country to normalcy. We want peace and we are genuine about it. It is not for the people of Ghana to decide who is to be the leader of Cote d’Ivoire that is for the people of Cote’ d’Ivoire and we respect their judgement. You have come to us at the right time and we’d like to assure you that by the time you leave, you have no doubt about the sincerity of whatever actions that we have taken and will continue to take in supporting Cote d’Ivoire” President Mills said.