Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara formally received the Letters of Credence from five new ambassadors accredited to Côte d’Ivoire on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Presidential Palace. Among them was Mr. Paul Benoit Barka Sarr, who will serve as Senegal’s new ambassador to the nation.
The other new envoys included Mr. Fabrice Boussougou Boussougou of Gabon, Mr. Alseny Moba Sylla of Guinea, Mr. John Marshall of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Ms. Le Kim Quy of Vietnam.
The ceremony adhered to standard diplomatic protocol, involving the presentation of the predecessor’s Letter of Recall and the new diplomat’s Letter of Credence to the President. Following the formal presentation, Ambassador Sarr engaged in an exchange of views with President Ouattara, which was succeeded by a press statement and military honors.
Ambassador Paul Benoit Barka Sarr expressed his appreciation for the significant structural transformation and development achieved by Côte d’Ivoire in recent years under President Ouattara’s leadership, recognizing the nation’s emergence as a prominent sub-regional player.
He further lauded the excellent relations existing between Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. Ambassador Sarr pledged to work diligently to strengthen and consolidate these ties of friendship and cooperation across various sectors, including political, economic, cultural, agricultural, and investment fields.
Attendees at the ceremony included Mr. Fidele Sarassoro, Minister, Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic, Mr. Leon Kacou Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, and other members of the Presidential Cabinet.
AP/Sf/fss/abj/APA