TheCable

Alassane Ouattara, president of Cote d’Ivoire, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the outcome of the March 28 election, saying that through the action, his Nigerian counterpart saved the country from a civil war.

Recalling his experience when Laurent Gbagbo, former president of Ivory Coast, who refused to concede the 2010 election in his country, Ouattara said the action resulted in a four-month civil war that claimed 3,000 people.

Gbagbo was eventually forced out of office after he was captured at a bunker in the presidential mansion. At the time, Ouattara formed a parallel government, operating from a private hotel within the country.

The Ivorien president also described Jonathan as a model to other West African leaders.

“You know that about five years ago, Cote d’Ivoire had election and I won the election and the former president decided not to leave office,” he told journalists during his visit to Aso Rock on Monday.

“This brought the civil war and 3,000 people were killed. We were put in a hotel for protection by the United Nations for four and a half months. We were there without food because the hotel was guarded by the president’s men.

“It was only after four and a half months of imprisonment in that hotel that finally we were able to leave the hotel; after the former president quit and finally left office for me.

“I am saying this to stress that what happened in Nigeria is a lesson to all of us. Please accept my admiration.”

Ouattara further congratulated Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s president-elect, on his victory, saying: “On May 29, there is going to be inauguration and handover to the president-elect, President Buhari,” he said.

“People are more important than power and Mr. President, my good friend, I am not surprised about what you did and I wanted to congratulate you and congratulate the Nigerian people.”

After departing from the presidential villa, Ouattara held a private meeting with Buhari at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, he congratulated Nigerians for the outcome of the election.

Responding, Buhari thanked Ouattara for the visit and commended Jonathan for exhibiting statesmanship.

“Thank you very much for this visit and for taking time to congratulate,” he said. “I would like to particularly congratulate President Jonathan for his statesmanship.”