Ambassador’s Statement on Melenchon’s Comments
The embassy of Côte d’Ivoire near the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco has issued a statement expressing its ‘strong protest’ against comments made by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, president of La France insoumise party, during a meeting in France.
Mélenchon’s remarks were deemed ‘irresponsible’, ‘irreverent’, ‘insulting’ and ‘degrading’ by the embassy, which claims that Melenchon has no legitimacy or competence to comment on Ivoire’s institutions.
The ambassador stated that the country is a sovereign state since its independence in 1960, and that no foreign politician should be allowed to make offensive comments about it.
The embassy also highlighted the friendly relations between Côte d’Ivoire and France, which are based on mutual respect and have been consolidated under the presidencies of Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Alassane Ouattara.
The embassy announced that it will take ‘any appropriate action’ to respond to the comments it considers an offense against the Ivoirian people and president.
