Ivorian presidential: Laurent Gbagbo comes out of his silence and calls to avoid "the catastrophe"
Laurent Gbagbo before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, February 6, 2020. Jerry Lampen / Pool via REUTERS
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3 min
In an interview with the TV5Monde channel, the former president of Côte d'Ivoire affirms that he is resolutely on the side of the opposition and is against a third term of Alassane Ouattara.
He therefore calls on all parties to negotiate to avoid what he calls "the catastrophe".
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With our correspondent in Abidjan,
Pierre Pinto
In
an interview with TV5Monde
, Laurent Gbagbo explains why he decides to speak now, two days before
this contested presidential election.
“
When I was acquitted, I was waiting to be in Ivory Coast to speak,” he
explains.
But today, the date of
October
31 is approaching. Quarrels bring us into a pit. If I keep silent, it would not be responsible,
”said the former president.
Laurent Gbagbo says he understands and shares the anger of opponents against the third term sought by Alassane Ouattara.
"
It was he who committed the fault, because it was he who did not respect the Constitution,
" adds the former head of state, who also declares: "
I am resolutely on the side of the opposition.
"
"
Alassane Ouattara really lacked elegance
"
Laurent Gbagbo does not hold back his blows against the current Ivorian president.
"
For ten years, all progress in terms of democracy has been crumbling in Côte d'Ivoire,
" he comments.
"
Alassane Ouattara really lacked elegance
" when speaking of the passport affair that the Ivorian authorities are slow to deliver to him.
But today, Laurent Gbagbo calls for discussion to get out of the crisis in which the Ivory Coast is sinking.
“
What awaits us is disaster.
I do not agree to go hand in hand with the disaster,
”
he said.
"
Making peace does not mean to come together in a magma called
" government of national unity "," he warns.
“
There is always time to talk,
finally declares Laurent Gbagbo.
I would like to tell the Ivorians that in this fight which is being waged today around the third term, I am resolutely on the side of the opposition to the practice of the third term
".
► (Re) listen: Ivory Coast: the question of Gbagbo's return remains a sensitive subject in Gagnoa
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