Panafrican News Agency

Cote d'Ivoire: Mauritian candidate for OIF top job campaigns in Cote d'Ivoire

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (PANA) – Seeking the post of Secretary General of the International Francophonie Organization (OIF), Mauritian candidate, Jean-Claude de l’Estrac, ended his campaign Friday in Côte d’Ivoire, pledging to create jobs for young people and making Africa a productive and industrialized continent.

During his three-day campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. de l'Estrac held talks with the Ivorian Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Maurice Kouakou Bandaman, to whom he unveiled his plans if elected.

He was also received by the deputy Secretary general of the Ivorian ministry of foreign affairs, Ly Djérou, and the former head of the Ivorian diplomacy, Amara Essy, who pledged their support to him.

Mr. de l’Estrac will next take his campaign to Benin and Gabon.

Election for the OIC post will take place in November in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, to succeed Senegalese Abdou Diouf.

Mr. de l’Estrac will be competing with seven other candidates -- Gabonese Jean Ping, Burundian Pierre Buyoya, Malian Dioncounda Traoré, Congolese Henri Lopès, Canadian Michaëlle Jean, Togolese Edem Kodjo and Lebanese Michel Sleiman.
-0- PANA BAL/IS/MSA/VAO 16Aug2014