An announcement that was expected after several reconciliation efforts between the Head of State and his predecessors.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara announced on Saturday August 6 that he had granted presidential pardon to his former rival and predecessor Laurent Gbagbo, "in order to strengthen social cohesion".
The latter was under a 20-year prison sentence in his country following the post-election crisis of 2010-2011.
"In order to strengthen social cohesion, I signed a decree granting presidential pardon to Mr. Laurent Gbagbo," said Alassane Ouattara in a speech on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the independence of CĂ´te d'Azur. Ivory.
In order to strengthen social cohesion, I signed a decree granting presidential pardon to Mr. Laurent Gbagbo.
I also requested that his accounts be unfrozen and his life annuity arrears be paid.
pic.twitter.com/HbV80zwsU0
— Alassane Ouattara (@AOuattara_PRCI) August 6, 2022
The two former rivals had already met for the first time on July 14, 2022, during a "reunion meeting" with Henri Konan Bédié, also former president.
During the post-election crisis of 2010-2011, the presidential duel between Laurent Gbabgbo and Alassane Ouattara, then supported by Mr. Bédié, led to a post-election crisis which left 3,000 dead and led to the arrest of Mr. Gbagbo in April 2011.
Acquitted by international justice, he returned in June 2021 to Abidjan and launched a new opposition party.
In 2020, electoral violence during the presidential election left 85 dead and 500 injured.
The ballot, boycotted in particular by Mr. Bédié, saw the re-election of President Ouattara for a controversial third term, deemed unconstitutional by the opposition.
With AFP
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