MONTREAL (AFP) – Canada said Wednesday it no longer recognized the Ivory Coast ambassador to Ottawa appointed by president Laurent Gbagbo, and that it would welcome new diplomatic representation from the West African nation.
"The tenure of Louis L.B. Bony as ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire to Canada has ended," Melissa Lantsman, spokeswoman for Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon, told AFP.
Bony was appointed in 2008 by Gbagbo, who is now clinging to power in Abidjan despite international calls for him to relinquish control to his rival Alassane Ouattara following last month's disputed elections.
"Canada will only accept a new head of mission appointed by President Ouattara," Lantsman added.
"Canada respects the right of President Alassane Ouattara to select Cote d'Ivoire's diplomatic representation abroad," the spokeswoman said, adding that, like the United Nations and several world powers, "Canada has publicly recognised Alassane Ouattara as the legitimately-elected president of Cote d'Ivoire."
Ivory Coast's embassy in Ottawa refused comment on the matter, saying the ambassador was currently abroad and expected to return to Canada next week.
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