Return of Laurent Gbagbo in Ivory Coast: for his supporters, "it's a messiah who is coming"
In the streets of Yopougon, activists can buy t-shirts bearing the effigy of Laurent Gbagbo, Abidjan, June 16, 2021. © RFI / Paulina Zidi
Text by: Paulina Zidi Follow
10 mins
Laurent Gbagbo is expected in Côte d'Ivoire this Thursday, June 17, 2021. Almost ten years after his extradition to The Hague where he was acquitted of the charges against him last March, the former president is therefore preparing to trample the soil of his country.
An event eagerly awaited by its supporters.
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From our special correspondent in Abidjan,
This Wednesday morning, there is no particular agitation around the Félix Houphouët-Boigny airport in Abidjan.
Taxis and families await travelers, the safe deployment is no different than usual.
Nothing allows us to imagine that in a little more than 24 hours,
the supporters of the former president
will come to the pavilion of honor to welcome the one they have been waiting for ten years now.
Among these impatiens, there is Francis.
Sitting on the terrace of a maquis in Yopougon, a commune in Abidjan known to be a stronghold of the FPI, the party of the former head of state, this lifelong activist has a smile on his lips and says he is ready for tomorrow.
“
From 5 am, I will be at the airport.
I can't miss it.
And he adds that he was well equipped for the big day.
“
I have a Gbagbo t-shirt, Gbagbo pants, I even have a Gbagbo hat
.
"
Laurent Gbagbo's return to the front page of the Ivorian press, June 16, 2021 © RFI / Paulina Zidi
"
We are waiting for the son of the country
"
A hundred meters from the bush, Romaric's small business is indeed running at full speed. This graphic designer mainly makes loincloths or personalized clothes. In recent days, he has received a large order for t-shirts in the colors of the former president. In front of his stall, several models bearing the effigy of Laurent Gbagbo are for sale. In its stock, several dozen others are waiting for someone to come and pick them up. The goal for all activists is to have the right equipment for this Thursday, June 17.
“
Tomorrow, it will be a day of celebration, it is a messiah who arrives
, explains an activist.
We must go and welcome it massively. We've been waiting for this day for a long time. We are waiting for the son of the country. Me, tomorrow at 5 am, I'm already ready to take off for the airport
. By his side, Anderson expects "
an unforgettable day." I am really happy, we are waiting for our president for reconciliation. So that our peace is truly at peace
. "
Buses will pick up the supporters in Yopougon.
With a slogan repeated over and over during preparatory meetings in recent days: “
No anger, it's a day of joy, no provocation
.
"It's a day of celebration, still insists this youth leader of the FPI Yopougon,"
we want calm
.
The party wishes to avoid any excesses.
What Yopougon expects from this return
"
The missing link in reconciliation
"
An instruction that will be said and repeated to the activists who will get on the buses planned to take the crowd to the various strategic places where the procession must pass. Lucien does not yet know where he will be to applaud the former president, but one thing is certain, he cannot wait any longer: “
I am extremely happy, because the Ivorian people have been waiting for this day for a long time. It is the missing link in the reconciliation process. It is a model for Ivorians and for all of Africa. We want him to take back his pilgrim's staff
and continue politics
. "
As a response to the demands of his supporters who are awaiting his return to politics, Laurent Gbagbo must go to the headquarters of his FPI party after his arrival in Abidjan.
And not just any headquarters: the one located in the Attoban district and which, quite a symbol, had not been used for ten years.
For several days, a team has been working to restore the building.
The perimeter wall is freshly painted and inside the president's office is already in place.
Steve is among those who have been working there for over a week.
It is with pride that he shows us around and takes us to the lounges and meeting rooms where the furniture is still packed.
Laurent Gbagbo's future office in the renovated FPI headquarters in Attoban, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, June 16, 2021. © RFI / Paulina Zidi
First expected words
In the garden, the chairs and tents that will house the Thursday festivities are still missing.
And it is from the desk that Laurent Gbagbo should hold his first speech.
But before we get there, it's a race against time for Steve: “
We haven't stopped for a week.
Tomorrow everything must be over.
We're not going to sleep tonight
.
"
These first words from the former president are eagerly awaited.
Apart from an interview with the TV5 Monde channel a few months ago, Laurent Gbagbo has remained silent for the past ten years.
A difficult period for Francis who expects a lot from this return: “
I'm going to see him, because if I don't see him, I'm going to die.
Our thinking is the thinking of Laurent Gbagbo.
When I sleep, it's Laurent Gbagbo.
My blood is Laurent Gbagbo
.
"
What Abidjanais think of this return
T-shirts bearing the effigy of Laurent Gbagbo, in the streets of Yopougon, Abidjan, June 16, 2021. © RFI / Paulina Zidi
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