US Commends Nigeria on Cote D'Ivorie Political Crisis

US Commends Nigeria on Cote D'Ivorie Political Crisis
Godwin Ukah, Abuja

The United States of America has commended the Nigerian Government for her stance on the Cote D'Ivorie political crisis.

Nigeria as a member of ECOWAS, recognised Alassane Ouattara as the winner of November 28 run –off Presidential election in Cote D'Ivoire.

The new United States of America's Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence McCauley made the commendation when he visited the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed in Abuja.

Nigeria's Premise

Nigeria's position on the Cote D'Ivoire political crisis was in line with the stance of the UN, EU, France and the US as announced by the country's Electoral Commission.

The electoral commission said Alassane Ouattara had won the election by ten percentage points, but the constitutional court overtuned the results and declared Gbagbo the winner.

Western countries have corroborated the electoral commission's results as stated by the UN Mission chief in Cote D'Ivorie Young-Jim. she certified the election results under a 2005 peace deal that followed the 2002-2003 civil war in the country.

He said that the United States of America considers Nigeria as the greatest partner in Africa and gave the assurance that his country would continue to support Nigeria especially in its giant stride to consolidate on the democratic tenets.

The US Ambassador also commended Nigeria for her enormous contribution to peace keeping operations around the globe. 

He noted the strong relationship that has existed between the people of United States of America and the "good people of Nigeria"; remarking that the US mission under his leadership would strive to take that relationship to the next level.

The Nigerian Capital Territory Minister, Senator Mohammed said in his response that a US company had signed an agreement worth two billion dollars to develop the Abuja City Centre.

The Minister noted that under President Goodluck Jonathan's administration in Nigeria the United States government would enjoy permanent cordial bilateral relations.