Cote d’ Ivoire’s President said on Thursday he hopes to reduce unemployment by 2 million during his second term in office, backing a campaign promise that opponents said he failed to fulfill during his first term.
President Alassane Ouattara told The Associated Press that he had already started reducing unemployment in the agricultural sector.
Since Ouattara came to power in 2011, the cocoa-producing powerhouse has experienced economic growth. He campaigned on the impressive rebound, but critics say citizens have not benefited and many Ivorians complain about the high cost of living.
He also vowed to promote justice and reconciliation, though critics have said that such post-conflict reconciliation has been minimal, and justice one-sided.
He also to AP that there is no chance of impunity nor discrimination in the country, stating that all those who had committed criminal offenses in the past are being pursued and will be judged.
He promised to focus on changing the constitution with a referendum next year and guaranteed a two- term presidential limit.
