Ivorian President to travel to Vatican on September 17 to bolster ties

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara is expected in the Vatican on September 17 for an official visit aiming at strengthening ties with the city state led by Pope Francis.

“This visit is part of the strengthening of relations of friendship and cooperation between Côte d’Ivoire and the Holy See,” said government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly who also doubles as Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.

Coulibaly indicated that President Ouattara and the Pope will assess bilateral ties between the two countries and explore other opportunities of collaboration.

The visit comes after he met with Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, in May this year in Abidjan amid tension with the catholic church in the West African country, over his plans for a third term in office.

The visit is also the second by Ouattara in 10 years. He traveled to the Vatican in 2002 to meet with then Pope Benedict XVI.