Former Ivorian football star Bonaventure Kalou has been elected mayor of Vavoua, a city in the central part of the country.

The elder brother of Salomon Kalou, he got 50 caps with the Elephants and won the Coupe de France twice.

He played two matches during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

He told BBC Afrique he will work to improve the lives of the city’s residents:

Quote Message: The role of mayor is not necessarily for politics purpose, but for local development. But I am also aware that politics and local development are also connected. So I will need to manage this situation in such a way that everybody is satisfied. I will be present often in the city…There are great expectations regarding to the fact that little has been done so far for this community. The improvement of sanitation, public lighting and water supply will be my priorities. These need to be done quickly.”
The role of mayor is not necessarily for politics purpose, but for local development. But I am also aware that politics and local development are also connected. So I will need to manage this situation in such a way that everybody is satisfied. I will be present often in the city…There are great expectations regarding to the fact that little has been done so far for this community. The improvement of sanitation, public lighting and water supply will be my priorities. These need to be done quickly.”

Kalou said he looked up to Liberia President George Weah, who is also a former footballer:

Quote Message: Everybody has his own destiny. George’s has his own. He begins as senator, and was candidate for the presidency two times but he did not succeed the first time. I am not yet at this level. I am now at a lower level. But he is an example in every sense of the term for me. But for the time being, he is not yet my priority. My current priority is to have a successful mandate as a mayor.”
Everybody has his own destiny. George’s has his own. He begins as senator, and was candidate for the presidency two times but he did not succeed the first time. I am not yet at this level. I am now at a lower level. But he is an example in every sense of the term for me. But for the time being, he is not yet my priority. My current priority is to have a successful mandate as a mayor.”