WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on elections in Côte d'Ivoire:

"I congratulate the people of Côte d'Ivoire on their elections this past weekend, which observers are calling free, peaceful, and transparent.  The first presidential election since the country’s return to peace is a good sign that Côte d'Ivoire is moving past the post-election violence in 2010 which left thousands dead.

"I also want to congratulate President Alassane Ouattara on his reelection.  I had the pleasure of meeting First Lady Dominique Ouattara in June to discuss progress reducing and preventing child labor in cocoa production and the challenges that remain.  I look forward to working with President Ouattara during his second term on these issues and other concerns shared by the United States and Côte d'Ivoire."

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