Ouattara chairs extraordinary cabinet meeting in Grand-Bassam

Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday chaired an extra ordinary cabinet meeting in the town of Grand-Bassam.

During the meeting, the accurate death toll of victims of Sunday’s terror attack was presented and according to government spokesperson,the dead included 11 Ivorians and 5 other nationals.

#Bassam: Fin du Conseil des Ministres. Photo de famille du Président et de l'ensemble des membres du Gouvernement. pic.twitter.com/5yw9AqvzMp

— Presidenceci (@Presidenceci) March 16, 2016

The president insisted that Ivorians will not be cowered by the attacks.

“Ivorians stand united and and we remain a land of hospitality. I’m sure business activity at the hotels will be back soon, said president Alassane Ouattara.

#Bassam:“Nous allons continuer nos activités malgré la douleur de cette attaque” Fin de la déclaration de SEM A. O pic.twitter.com/MOfUtgiLUR

— Presidenceci (@Presidenceci) March 16, 2016

The attack which claimed 19 lives was claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and had raised concerns that it could negatively impact tourism in the country.

Grand-Bassam, with its pristine beaches and UNESCO-listed French colonial-era buildings, is a short drive from Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s main city and commercial capital, and is packed with visitors at weekends.

Government spokesperson Bruno Kone added that the government was pledging emergency budgetary aid for the city to the tune of 550 million CFA (840,000 euros), to be distributed between hotels, crafts people, street vendors and the town hall.

The President had earlier laid wreaths in honour of the dead. Today, the country concludes three days of national mourning which was declared by the president after the attack.

Le Président dépose une gerbe de fleurs à l'hotel Étoile du Sud en mémoire des victimes des attaques de #Bassam pic.twitter.com/mG3C8mpTIP

— Presidenceci (@Presidenceci) March 16, 2016