The Ivorian Prime Minister will tour this Saturday, January 22 in several cities in the north of the country, plagued by jihadist attacks.
It is an express visit, but very symbolic. On January 22, Prime Minister Patrick Achi will travel to Tougbo, Kafolo and Kong for the official launch of the “special program for the integration of young people from border regions of countries plagued by terrorism”. Announced at the end of November by the Minister for the Promotion of Youth, Professional Integration and Civic Service, Mamadou Touré, for an initial envelope of 2 billion CFA francs (3 million euros), the budget of the project was finally revised upwards, as well as the number of beneficiaries.
It should thus increase to more than 8.6 billion CFA francs, already mobilized in favor of approximately 20,000 young people from six northern regions (Bagoué, Bounkani, Folon, Kabadougou, Poro, Tchologo). The State contributes 6.6 billion, and the remaining 1.8 billion is financed via a debt reduction and development contract (C2D) concluded with the French Development Agency. Several international partners, such as the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme, are also mobilizing for the implementation of projects with, for some, an emphasis on inter-community dialogue.
Social aid against the jihadist temptation
For the government, the objective is clear: to combine the military component with development actions. This project thus aims to prevent young people from these regions from joining jihadist groups by offering them professional opportunities or by supporting the creation of businesses. In this part of the country, where a significant delay in development remains to be caught up, and where the feeling of abandonment of the State is present among the populations, the authorities are betting on the social aspect.
More than 5,000 refugees from Burkina Faso are hosted by local populations who provide for them
Since June 2020, the North has been the target of attacks attributed to men from the Katiba Macina of Amadou Koufa, a jihadist leader affiliated with the Support Group for Islam and Muslims. The sub-prefecture of Tougbo, where the project will be launched, is particularly affected by the security crisis. According to local authorities, it is home to more than 5,000 refugees from neighboring Burkina Faso. These are mostly welcomed by local populations who meet their needs.
Patrick Achi will be accompanied by the Minister for Youth, Mamadou Touré, as well as the Minister for Solidarity and the Fight against Poverty, Belmonde Dogo, who had already traveled to the North in June to provide humanitarian assistance and express the sympathy of the government. On site, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a water tower and attend the commissioning of an MTN antenna in Tougbo. He will also visit the construction site of a military barracks in the city. In Kong, Patrick Achi will visit two finishing military camps, then share a lunch with the soldiers.
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