In the presence of the Ambassador, His Excellency Charles Gomis, the President of the Committee of Elders of the Diaspora of Côte d’Ivoire in France (COSADIF) was inaugurated this Saturday, December 1, 2018, at the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire. In France.
Neither the cold nor the yellow vest demonstrations in Paris prevented the Ivorian community in France from participating in the event. Many came, religious guides, representatives of kings and traditional chiefs of Côte d’Ivoire, dean of the Ivorian Community in France, presidents of associations and federations of associations, all present to attend the inauguration of Pastor Gueï as the 1st president. of the brand new Council of Elders of Ivorian France (COSADIF).
The goal of this new organization is, first, to ensure the prevention and management of conflicts within the community as well as those that could arise with other communities, through missions of listening, good services, mediation and reconciliation; to support, then, the Ivorian diaspora, and especially those living in France, in their ability to improve understanding among their members and to organize themselves to solve specific problems: youth unemployment, health, housing, the place of women, education, management of minors in conflict with by law, and of course, the dramatic topic of illegal immigration, both in the host countries and in the Ivory Coast. Improving the living and working conditions of Ivorian citizens in France is also part of the desire to enable them to contribute effectively to the development of our country.
Let us remind you that when taking office, Ambassador Charles Gomis undertook to work on the establishment of large associations of Ivorians in France, such as the Council of Malians of France or the Federation of Burkinabes of France. After the Interfederal Association of Women’s Associations and Ivorian Women (UIAFFIF) was founded on January 28, 2017 in the Embassy of the Ivory Coast in France, led by Mrs. Sanni Carolle, Almost a year later, it is the turn of the Council of Wise Men (COSADIF).
The idea is to organize the diaspora in representative centers, with megaphones
able to convey the difficulties of all kinds facing Ivorians in France.
The establishment of COSADIF was unanimously welcomed by all the associations representing all regions of Côte d’Ivoire, which all participated in the development of the texts governing the work of COSADIF. These are the southern representatives of the federation of associations Abbey (ARAF) and Akyié (CARAF), Abouré; from the east with the federation of Agni du Moronou associations; from the center with the Federation of Baoulé Associations (BERA); from the West with the federation of Wês associations (Guéré and Wobé); from the north with the federations of Worodougou, Malinké, Sénoufo and Lobi associations; Catholic and Protestant Christians (Evangelical, Methodist and Heavenly Christians) and Muslims.
The commitment of all Ivorian communities led Ambassador Charles Gomis to appeal for everyone’s experience and cooperation with COSADIF. “I use this opportunity to greet all those who have made every effort to make this second component of the great association of the Ivorians of France see the light of day, to thank all the religious guides and representatives of all the regions of Côte d’Ivoire who have dedicated their precious time for 17 months to the creation of this structure .
Pastor Guei, for his part, put his mandate under the auspices of sincere reconciliation: “President of this association that aims to reunite all Ivorian citizens present in France, on your side, I will fight, so that “we can all regain unity” and the peace that we have lost for several years, and for which our authorities were looking for a representative, neutral team to lead this fight.”
The elders will consist of religious leaders, presidents of the union of community associations and community elders, in accordance with the statute. Its action should enable a long-term good image of the Ivorian community in France among other communities and institutions in the host country. Goals that are emanations of the culture of peace and values of dialogue and hospitality of Côte d’Ivoire.
At the end, Ambassador Charles Gomis praised the work of the ad hoc committee and the scientific committee for their contribution in drafting the statutes and internal regulations of the committee, but also Mr. Aïdar Abdoulaye, outgoing consul, Mr. Diaby Vacaba, pr. Adviser, promoted to ambassador.
During their missions they were accompanied by Consuls Kouassi Théophile, Head of the Biometric Visa Service, N’Gaman Eboua, Head of the Passport Service, Aka Amon Jacques, Head of the Civil Status Service.
They will be replaced by Mr. Gbégbé LANTA in Civil Status and Registration, Mr. GBI Toussaint, in Association Registration, Decentralized Cooperation and Culture, Ms. Coulibaly Adja in the Department of Biometric Passports and Ms. Doris Allégube in the Department of Biometric Visas.