28 mars 2024

IVORY COAST: It was really a friendly meeting that took place between President Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo

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Everything was going as planned. Meeting between Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo was really aimed at reconciliation. The two met on Tuesday 27 July 2021 after a long silence since the post-election crisis of 2010. The two even held hands at the end of the meeting as a sign of reconciliation.

Reunion lasted an hour at the presidential palace in Abidjan. They both looked friendly during their speeches. It is impossible that a war could happen after their meetings. Their tones were relaxed. They teased each other freely as Laurent Gbagbo called the president by his first name saying "isn't it Alassane" before following up with a "pardon Mr President".

Both expressed themselves in a very friendly and brief manner during the meeting. However, Laurent Gbagbo took the opportunity to raise the issue of the release of political prisoners held during the 2010 post-election crisis.  Indeed, Gbagbo argued that he, as the leader of the protesters at the time, is now free and that his supporters should be too. He has asked the president to do his best to give them back their freedom. Thus, the aim is to break the existing war between the 2 parties. The development of Côte d'Ivoire was also discussed by the two politicians.

Shared joy

The two politicians reported to the press. Laurent Gbagbo said he was happy with the meeting "I am very happy, because the discussion was very relaxed and I am proud of that... I wished that, from time to time, we could have this kind of talks that relax the atmosphere in the country".

For President Alassane Ouattara, he first thanked his predecessor Laurent Gbagbo. Then he continued by offering his condolences to the latter.  As a reminder, Gbagbo's mother died while he was still in detention at the ICC.

Then, Alassane Ouattara was also delighted with their meeting. He even said that Laurent Gbagbo is his younger brother and friend. So he also hoped that Ivorians would be happy with this reconciliation process. Moreover, this meeting was part of the peoples' expectations.

However, the meeting bore fruit as the president reassures that the war that was held between the two parties is now a thing of the past. The important thing for Alassane Ouattara is peace for the country.  He also confessed, like Gbagbo, his desire to move forward. And this concerns national reconciliation. 

 According to the president, other meetings are to come after August as trust has been restored between the two.

 Santie

Photo Credit : Igfm.sn