Ivory Coast: in Gagnoa and Mama, we are waiting for the return of "the light" Laurent Gbagbo
The head of Laurent Ggabo's native village, Bertin Kouassi Ouraga, in June 2021 © François Mazet / RFI
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After months of negotiations, and years of absence for his supporters, the former president is expected in Abidjan this Thursday afternoon.
An even longer wait for his support in Mama, the native village of the former president, but also in Gagnoa, the large city in the west, his region of origin.
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With our special correspondent to Mama and Gagnoa,
François Mazet
This is the place where we undoubtedly await the most Laurent Gbagbo, back this Thursday in Côte d'Ivoire.
Mama is the native village of the former president, a half-hour drive north of Gagnoa, in the center-west of the country.
A town of a thousand inhabitants which is preparing to welcome its most famous national.
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To read also: Ivory Coast: everything you need to know about the return of Laurent Gbagbo
The wait for the native child will only be 48 hours extra.
The program is already ready: on Saturday, the procession of the former president is expected at the roundabout at the entrance to the village.
It will be accompanied by a parade of its inhabitants.
Two traditional welcoming ceremonies will take place in a public place and at his residence, which has been partially rehabilitated.
View of Laurent Gabgbo's residence in Mama, June 14, 2021 © François Mazet / RFI
“
In Bete Land, when someone returns from prison, he must be washed.
So they're going to go to his residence and wash him, it won't take a long time.
And then one day, we will invite him, and everyone will make their hearts speak
, ”explains Faustin Ahipo Gnahoré, FPI activist.
Speak up to ask him to resume politics?
For Hervé Kouakou, it's obvious: “
He's not done with us.
We are going to ask him to take back the country and to leave it as he wanted to leave it to the new generation.
"
An opinion shared by Joseph, Mama's “land chief”, and cousin of Laurent Gbagbo: “
Our son never gave us bad advice.
And he's a democrat.
Everything he says, everything he does is normal.
So her parents are always happy.
He is free !
“Free to come and kneel on the grave of his mother who died in 2015 while he was on trial.
Before returning to Abidjan on Sunday.
View of Mama, the village of Laurent Gbagbo.
© François Mazet / RFI
"He dwelled on our problems"
In Gagnoa, the FPI premises are a little tired, but the volunteers are not lacking in motivation.
Posters, t-shirts, posters have just been delivered.
Fatou warns: Thursday, it will be party all day.
“
Of course, we'll dance until the morning.
The sound system will come to the headquarters of the Ivorian Popular Front.
Three days of celebration!
"
Three days of celebration for the founder of a party that they did not give up despite a decade of lethargy.
Marcelle believes that Laurent Gbagbo's return will change everything: “
Gbagbo is the light.
Since he went to The Hague, Côte d'Ivoire has been plunged into darkness.
The day it arrives, all of us want to be healthy, happiness will arrive, the money will arrive, everything will happen.
"
Laurent Gbagbo is therefore a miracle worker, for his most loyal supporters.
Richard explains this loyalty: “
He is someone we loved because he was really good.
He dwelled on our problems.
The people feel better with Laurent Gbagbo.
"
Cane at the foot, Mom Jacqueline followed the conversation.
Between two tirades in bété, she launches in French: “
I love you Gbagbo!
I love you I love you !
"
To avoid tensions in the city, the activists wait until the last moment to distribute the material.
But many were too impatient and have already left for Abidjan to greet their hero at the airport.
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Ivory Coast
Laurent Gbagbo