Ivorian Crisis: Ouattara Extends Ban On Cocoa

Ivorian Crisis: Ouattara Extends Ban On Cocoa

Internationally recognised president of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, has extended the ban on the export of cocoa and coffee to March 31. 

Ban extension 

A statement signed by Ouattara’s Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, said that the ban extension would make it difficult for the economy to run smoothly under President Laurent Gbagbo.  

“The initial ban on cocoa export, which is the life wire of the Ivorian economy, was in January and it was renewed in February, before the third extension in March by Ouattara. The ban had been widely respected by the various chains in the cocoa industry in Cote D’Ivoire. It has put the Gbagbo government under pressure to raise funds, to run the economy, especially in paying public servants and the military,” the statement said.

Ouattara commended all operators in the industry for respecting the ban, especially the largest market of the Ivorian cocoa and the coffee.

Conflict

Gbagbo had been under pressure from the international community to hand over power to Ouattara.
The incumbent president, after losing an election in November, 2010 said the election results, announced by the Ivorian independent electoral commission, was fraudulent.

NAN/Margaret