Turkey welcomes presidential polls in Ivory Coast

By Handan Kazanci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey on Wednesday welcomed the presidential elections in Ivory Coast.

"President Alassane Ouattara, as per the official results of the Presidential elections held in Côte d’Ivoire on 31 October and announced on 9 November 2020, has been reelected," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement, using the official name of the republic.

"We wish that the election results will be propitious for the friendly and brotherly people of Côte d’Ivoire," the statement added.

"We expect that Côte d’Ivoire will continue its progress in the course of economic development in peace and stability.

"In this respect, we reiterate our belief that an inclusive approach, comprising all the people through dialogue, will be adopted in the period to come," the statement added.

Last week, Ouattara was re-elected president for a third time after securing 94% of votes, according to official figures.

The opposition boycotted the Oct. 31 election, maintaining that Ouattara’s bid for a third term is "illegal."

The vote went ahead amid a wave of demonstrations and clashes in the country, which claimed at least eight lives.