🇨🇮Côte d'IvoireWest Africa
First Lady Dominique Ouattara inaugurates Cultural Innovation Village, emphasizes culture as a development driver for Africa
via Abidjan.net12 min read
First Lady Dominique Ouattara presided over the inauguration of the Cultural Innovation Village on Monday, April 13, 2026, as part of the 14th edition of the Marché des Arts du Spectacle Africain d'Abidjan MASA d'Abidjan at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan. During the ceremony, Mrs. Ouattara highlighted the critical role of culture in the nation's development. She extended greetings to Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie, and commended Ms. Françoise Remarck, Minister of Culture and La Francophonie, for her work in promoting Ivorian cultural heritage. The First Lady also acknowledged Mr. Djibril Ouattara, Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, for his active involvement in MASA and the creation of the Innovation Village, which bridges tradition and new technologies. She paid tribute to the honorary Grand Chancellor Henriette Dagri Diabaté for her leadership in establishing MASA in 1993. Mrs. Ouattara noted that MASA has become a vital platform for African creation and performance, fostering connections between artists and promoters, and advancing cultural and creative industries as economic development engines. She emphasized that culture is not merely entertainment but also a source of unity and growth, and a significant industry. The First Lady expressed pride that this year's MASA, with its Innovation Village, showcases local talent capable of reinvention and engagement with modern technology, leading
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Must ReadThe Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace RHDP has welcomed the Ivorian government's decision to dissolve the Independent Electoral Commission CEI, announced after the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Ibrahima Cissé Bacongo, on May 8, the ruling party acknowledged the decision, noting that the CEI had organized and supervised various elections in Côte d'Ivoire for the past twenty-five years. Despite its efforts, the electoral body had consistently faced criticism from political actors and civil society organizations. The RHDP expressed satisfaction that the government addressed these concerns by dissolving the institution. The party reaffirmed its full support for President Alassane Ouattara, stating that he continues to demonstrate his responsiveness to citizens' needs for a peaceful, prosperous, and united Côte d'Ivoire. The RHDP urged political actors and civil society organizations to fully engage in preserving peace and trust to establish a new electoral management mechanism that ensures calm elections in Côte d'Ivoire.
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Must ReadThis article features an excerpt from the speech delivered by former President Laurent Gbagbo during the Central Committee meeting on May 7, 2026. The speech was published on Friday, May 8, 2026, by Autre Presse TV. The article is part of a larger collection of political activities from 2025-2026 on Abidjan.net, which also includes other news such as the dissolution of the CEI, the appointment of Ibrahime Coulibaly Kuibiert as President of the Council of State, and the adoption of the PND 2026-2030 by the Senate in Yamoussoukro.
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