Ivory Coast: Soro-Ouattara, the year of the breakup

Text by: RFI Follow

Despite his conviction, Guillaume Soro remains a presidential candidate for 2020, he said in a comment published Tuesday after the decision of the TGI in Abidjan. A “political condemnation” according to him which would be the consequence of a cabal intended to prevent him from appearing. At 47 years old Guillaume Soro has a full CV. The former student leader, former leader of the rebellion, former Prime Minister, the former President of the National Assembly was the long-standing ally of Alassane Ouattara. But the break is completed in 2019, with the creation of the RHDP. 

Publicity

With our correspondent in Abidjan , Pierre Pinto

For months at the end of 2018, Guillaume Soro marked his difference and annoyed his old friends. The close guard of the Head of State summons the President of the National Assembly to join the presidential party or to "  return the stool  ". On February 8, 2019, Guillaume Soro resigned. 

He then approaches Alassane Ouattara's declared opponent, Henri Konan Bédié, who constitutes a political alliance to block the RHDP in 2020. A common strategy is then drawn in the event of a second round. Then, Soro leaves for Europe, creates his party, GPS, activates his networks and in October officially announces his candidacy . 

On December 23 everything accelerates. Learning that an arrest warrant has been issued against him Guillaume Soro immediately cancels his return to Côte d'Ivoire. The same day, the security forces invaded GPS HQ and arrested its supporters. Arrests that continue in the weeks that follow. A total of 19 people are behind bars, including 5 pro-Soro deputies and two brothers of the former rebel leader. 

Prosecuted for the case of his residence of Marcory and for an alleged attempt to "  attack the authority of the state  ", Guillaume Soro denounces a political cabal to prevent him from running for president. On April 22, the African Court of Human Rights ordered Côte d'Ivoire to suspend the arrest warrant and release his companions on bail. Six days later, the Ivorian justice sentenced him to 20 years firm. 

► Read also: Côte d'Ivoire: Guillaume Soro sentenced to 20 years in prison

Exile in France

A conviction in his absence, since Guillaume Soro followed the verdict from Paris where he has been in exile since January. The leader of Generations and Solidarity Peoples has been established in the Paris region for several weeks now, because this is where part of his family lives.

Guillaume Soro had reached the French capital in early January after his aborted return to Côte d'Ivoire . After a visit to Spain, followed by a stay in Switzerland, the former Prime Minister moved to Paris, where he quickly received assurances from the French authorities that he would not extradite him despite the mandate of international judgment issued by Abidjan.

In recent weeks, Guillaume Soro has been increasing trips, particularly to Brussels, in an attempt to raise awareness of the European institutions on his case. He also took steps in France with the Quai d'Orsay but also with French parliamentarians. Deputies from all sides, from the far left to the far right, were thus approached.

Despite being sentenced to 20 years in prison, Guillaume Soro said he was determined to continue his fight. "  I remain a presidential candidate and I will win,  " he wrote on his Facebook page.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Ivory Coast
• Justice
• Guillaume Soro

On the same subject

Ivory Coast: Guillaume Soro sentenced to 20 years in prison

News calls

[Your reactions] The legal disputes of Guillaume Soro

Ivory Coast: Guillaume Soro tried in his absence in Abidjan