By Azubuike Okeh
ABIDJAN – The Ivorian Government on Monday in Abidjan described the terrorists attack on the[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″] French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, as barbaric and inhuman.
Deputy Government’s Spokesman and Communication Minister, Affoussiata Bamba, said in a statement [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]in Abidjan that the Jan. 7 attack was a tragedy to the global media.
It would be recalled that armed men had stormed the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, a weekly [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]newsmagazine known for satirical caricatures of Islam and other religions, killing 12 persons.
Bamba described the attack as an affront to freedom of expression called for a global effort to combat terrorism.
“Governments across the world need to rise in protection of the press and the rights to free speech
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″]which is the foundation of democracy,’’ she said.
She said the country commiserates with the families of the victims, saying: “We are in solidarity with the people and government of France over this deadly attack.
“As a country, we are deeply touched and we commiserate with the families of the victims of the attack, we clearly express our condemnation of this tragedy.
“Cote d’Ivoire and France have a long standing relationship, we share with France at this time of challenge and tragedy.’’
As the Charlie Hebdo attack takes a global perspective, more than 40 world leaders on Sunday were joined by millions who converged in Paris to protest against terrorism.
Protests and street marches also took place in several cities across Europe, including Berlin, Brussels and Madrid. (NAN)