Is this announced return in line with the negotiations on this subject with the government?"

Fraternité Matin

The negotiations are dragging on.

Some people think that we want to do a coup de force.

No !

Kouadio Konan Bertin, the Minister of National Reconciliation, had recently announced his desire to go to Brussels to see Laurent Gbagbo and discuss the terms of his return to the country, without however indicating a precise date. .

he said.

 Laurent Gbagbo will he really return to Côte d'Ivoire in mid-March?

The reality is complex, points out the pan-African weekly.

The announcement of his return “sounds more like a way to put additional pressure on the Ivorian authorities than a certainty definitely set in stone.

At the beginning of last December

Jeune Afrique

Laurent Gbagbo received two passports - one diplomatic and one ordinary.

He had appointed Assoa Adou to approach the competent authorities in order

After sending a letter to Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko, Assoa Adou was received by the latter on January 13.

The head of government then assured him that the authorities were open to the return of the former president, but needed time to organize it.

Jeune Afrique

 the possibility of a telephone contact between Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo was mentioned.

explains a source familiar with the negotiations.

since Gbagbo's acquittal in January 2019, Alassane Ouattara has been playing the watch.

Even today, he wishes to remain the master of the clocks in order to consolidate his power.

Some people around him still fear that Gbagbo's presence in the country will weaken the regime.

By keeping his predecessor far from the Ebrié Lagoon, Alassane Ouattara, who wants to keep his influence on the political field and keep control of a country where the urgency of real reconciliation is needed, Alassane Ouattara plays the watch and gives his rhythm to this process of reconciliation.

Also, by declaring the return of its founder, the FPI hopes to play its game as Côte d'Ivoire prepares to go to the polls to elect its deputies.

Finally, several questions arise around this return, which seems to have been decided unilaterally.

Should we conclude

a secret arrangement between the current political leadership of the FPI and the masters of Abidjan, or is it (really) a first step towards a reconciliation of hearts wounded by the post-election crisis of 2011?

Gbagbo's return could experience a slight disruption.