Abidjan unveils major traffic project constructed by Chinese contractor

Cote d'Ivoire has inaugurated the Akwaba interchange, a major infrastructure project designed to enhance connectivity between the city, its port, industrial zones, and the country's main international airport.

The newly-renovated interchange aims to alleviate chronic congestion in a key economic zone, connecting the capital to the port, industrial areas, and Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport.

Built by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) at a cost of 51 million U.S. dollars, the project is expected to alleviate the severe congestion in a highly active economic zone.

"Thanks to this project, we now have a highly active economic zone that is being de-congested to improve its attractiveness. Today, a large portion of our population lives in Greater Abidjan and its immediate surroundings. In this context, strategic investments made in the road sector, particularly motorways, expressways and interchanges, effectively and actively contribute to improving the economic and social conditions of the population," Vice President of Cote d'Ivoire Tiemoko Meyliet Kone said at the inauguration ceremony.

The Akwaba interchange comprises three separate structures: a main bridge, a secondary bridge and a three-lane roundabout.

The inauguration of the interchange was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire Wu Jie, religious authorities, the transporters' union and members of the government.

The project has been widely praised by local residents and stakeholders.

"Before this project was inaugurated, we suffered a lot. It was difficult to get around and it took us at least two hours to go to Adjamé market to buy our goods. But today, all that is a thing of the past. This interchange will bring more to the transport sector, but also to travelers going to the airport. It will also benefit traders and the national economy," said Belem Tidiane, an economic operator.

In recent years, Chinese infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, hydroelectric dams, and stadiums, have significantly transformed Abidjan and other cities across Côte d'Ivoire.

"I really don't know what to say about all the infrastructure China has built in addition to this interchange. I pray that nothing separates China from our country," said Miriam Coulibaly, a resident.

"China never betrays its partners. Thank you, China. We and China will always be united," said Traore Dosso Mamadou, a driver.

The Akwaba interchange is the third of its kind on the Houphouët Boigny boulevard, with a fourth currently under construction by the same Chinese company.

Abidjan unveils major traffic project constructed by Chinese contractor

Demonstrators rallied across U.S. cities over the weekend to denounce the military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were flown out of the country.

The Venezuelan government said the military strikes targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states, including Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, adding that the U.S. action blatantly violated the UN Charter.

The U.S. military intervention has since drawn widespread criticism, sparking protests at home.

Protesters gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Sunday, where Maduro is being held, calling the U.S. government actions outrageous and a violation of international law.

Others gathered in the Times Square on Saturday following the capture of the Venezuelan president and his wife, saying the actions are not only illegal but also showed no respect.

"I mean, you don't just step in and take over another country. We have absolutely no right to do that. We have so much trouble in our country right here," said a protester named Sartre.

"It just defies not only human respectability in life but common sense," said another protester.

Additionally, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the White House, holding banners with slogans reading "Hands off Venezuela" and "Stop bombing Venezuela now."

Demonstrators rally in US cities over military action in Venezuela