Ivory Coast: despite his ineligibility, Laurent Gbagbo reiterates his wish to be president in 2025
Former president and opponent Laurent Gbagbo brought together activists from his party, the PPA-CI, on Saturday April 6 in Agboville, north of Abidjan, for the 2nd edition of a political gathering called the Renaissance Festival.
Laurent Gbagbo in March 2023. AFP - SIA KAMBOU
By: RFI Follow
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With our special correspondent in Agboville,
Marine Jeannin
Laurent Gbagbo reaffirmed his desire to be a candidate in the 2025 presidential election, even though he remains, for the moment, ineligible due to his conviction for the so-called “heist” affair of the BCEAO. Conviction for which he was pardoned by President Alassane Ouattara, but not amnestied. And only an amnesty would allow him to run.
Read also Ivory Coast: Gbagbo's candidacy “is part of the PPA-CI strategy”
So, under the stifling heat of the main square of Agboville, and in front of thousands of activists wearing his colors,
Laurent Gbagbo
repeated his innocence in this affair and recalled having been tried in absentia in 2018, during his detention at the Court international criminal law.
“
I am not guilty of robbing a central bank, nor of any bank at all. I am not guilty. They say that we are going to make a judgment, but they do not summon me, the accused? Everyone knows where I am! And then behind my back… I am told that I was convicted in 2018. How?
»
PPA-CI activists are therefore demanding an amnesty from President Alassane Ouattara. For Philippe Zohou Bi Tra, activist from the Adjamé federation, this is a necessary condition for the next presidential election to be truly inclusive.
“
I think it goes without saying! He went to the ICC, and international justice recognized that he is not guilty. He was even acquitted! Acquitted, what does that mean? Don't blame him for anything! And for reconciliation, that’s what needs to be. These are the acts that we are asking of the President of the Republic, these acts of reconciliation.
»
Laurent Gbagbo announced that he would publish documents in the coming days to provide “
the truth
”.
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