Pope sends Cardinal Turkson as
papal envoy to strife-torn Ivory Coast
March 30, 2011
At his General Audience today,, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he has sent Cardinal Peter Turkson as his envoy to the Ivory Coast, the crisis-gripped former French colony in West Africa,
Former President Laurent Ngagbo, who was first elected in 2000, has refused to concede his electoral loss to Alessane Ouattara last December, and his forces have kept the latter - recognized as victor by the UN and independent international organizations - from assumming the Presidency.
Speaking in French to the thousands gathered beneath a warm Spring sun in St Peter’s Square, the Holy Father launched the following appeal:
For some time now, my thoughts have often turned to the people of Ivory Coast, traumatized by painful internal strife and serious social and political tensions. While I express my closeness to all those who have lost a loved one and suffer from violence, I urgently appeal a process of constructive dialogue be undertaken as soon as possible for the common good".
The tragic conflict makes the restoration of respect and peaceful coexistence more urgent. No effort should be spared in this regard. With these sentiments, I have decided to send Cardinal Peter Turkson Kodwo, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace to this noble country, to express my solidarity and that of the universal Church to victims of conflict and to promote reconciliation and peace.
The violent dispute over last November's presidential election in the West African nation, that U.N.-certified results showed Alasanne Ouattara won, but which incumbent Laurent Gbagbo refuses to concede, has reignited the civil war the ballot was meant to end.
[Cote d'Ivoire, the French name by which it is officially known, became independent of France in 1960. Its present population is about 21.5 million. It is the world's leading producer of cocoa (from the cacao plant).]