President Ouattara declares that Gbagbo and Blé Goudé "are free to return to Côte d'Ivoire"

Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé at the ICC, March 31, 2021 © ICC-CPI

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President Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday gave the green light for the return to Ivory Coast of his great rival the former President Laurent Gbagbo and his former Minister of Youth Charles Blé Goudé, "when they wish", a week later their final acquittal of crimes against humanity by international justice.

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Awaited with great impatience by supporters of Mr. Gbagbo who remain numerous in Côte d'Ivoire despite his absence for ten years, President Ouattara's decision to let him return is a strong sign of his desire to work for "reconciliation. national ”in a country with a recent history marked by political violence.

Messrs Gbagbo and Blé Goudé are free to return to Côte d'Ivoire whenever they wish,

 " President Ouattara said at the opening of the first cabinet meeting of his new government formed on Tuesday.

Arrangements will be made for Laurent Gbagbo to benefit, in accordance with the texts in force, from the benefits and indemnities due to the former Presidents of the Republic

 ", he added, specifying that "his travel expenses" and those "

of the members of his family will be supported by the State of Côte d'Ivoire

”.

Arrangements will be made for Laurent Gbagbo to benefit from the benefits and indemnities due to the former Presidents of the Republic.

Alassane Ouattara President of Côte d'Ivoire

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  • Ivory Coast

  • Alassane Ouattara

  • Charles Blé Goudé

  • Laurent Gbagbo