Ivory Coast: discussions continue for the return of Laurent Gbagbo

An Ivorian newspaper welcomes the acquittal of Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé by the ICC, March 2021. AFP / File

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When will Laurent Gbagbo set foot on the ground at Félix Houphouët-Boigny airport in Abidjan?

Almost a week after the final acquittal of the former president of Côte d'Ivoire by the International Criminal Court, his return to the country, insistently requested by his supporters, is under discussion.

The terms are far from being fixed.

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For months, intermediaries have been trying to organize a telephone exchange between the two men, but they have not yet succeeded.

The government wants to " 

frame

 "

the return of Laurent Gbagbo

to avoid excesses.

Until then, it was Hamed Bakayoko, who led the discussions.

The illness and death of the Prime Minister have suspended the process, but the appointment of Patrick Achi and the imminent return of Assoa Adou, charged by Laurent Gbagbo to represent him to the authorities and recently absent from the country, should allow a rapid recovery.

Security guarantees

Those close to the former president do not “

 want to rush

 ”.

They insist on guarantees for his security, and also demand that he benefit from the law on the status of former heads of state, from which he has been excluded, which would grant him a salary, travel expenses and staff.

According to a member of his family, the rehabilitation of his residence in Mama, his village, has been completed.

The works at that of Cocody, are in the process of being.

It remains to be seen whether free of his movements, Laurent Gbagbo will not make a few stops on the road to Abidjan: visits to friendly leaders or to diaspora organizations that have supported him are mentioned, but dependent on the health context.

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  • Ivory Coast

  • Ivory Coast Politics

  • Laurent Gbagbo

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