President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended the government and people of La Cote d’Ivoire

President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended the government and people of La Cote d’Ivoire for the various roles they played in the formation of Government of National Reconciliation.

He said the peaceful resolution of the 6-month old conflict in that country signifies the beginning of the end to other conflicts in the ECOWAS sub-region. President Kufuor was speaking at the inauguration of the Government of National Reconciliation, which was also going to have its first Cabinet meeting. He called on all parties involved to make sure that out of the ashes of conflict, a new future will blossom for the people of Cote d’Ivoire.

Present at the inaugural ceremony were President Laurent Gbagbo, Prime Minister Seydou Diarra, President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Gnyasingbe Eyadema of Togo. Also present were the Executive-Secretary of ECOWAS, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas and a Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Professor Albert Tevoedjere.

President Kufuor said the new government must be able to provide a framework for National Unity based on the Linas – Marcousssis and Accra Accords, adding that “Happily, today you stand at the threshold of history, with high hopes of achieving for your country a durable peace that would signal to the world that at long last you the leaders have for the love of your nation succeeded your differences peacefully”.

Reminding them of their relative superior advantage in the sub-region, President Kufuor advised them to uphold the glorious heritage installed for them by their forefathers. He also asked them to resolve to be each other’s keeper, tolerate each other’s views and never again resort to armed conflict as a resolution of differences.

President Laurent Gbagbo said the resolution of the conflict was due to negotiations both in Paris and Accra and expressed his appreciation to all parties involved.

He said the premiere meeting of the government was historic because it would enable the Ministries to start work.

In all, 39 Ministers were present for the inauguration. President Kufuor, who has since returned to Accra, was accompanied by Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyeman, out-going Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nana Akuffo-Addo, in-coming Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As a sign of mourning for those who lost their lives in the Ivorian conflict, all flags flew at half-mast.