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The acquittal of Ivory Coast's President of the International Criminal Court, Laurent Gbagbo, on crimes against humanity is making waves in this country of West Africa where some are celebrating its imminent release but others fear a repeat of the violent post-election violence of 2010-2011 that led to The Hague.
"For the moment, we are savoring the ICC's decision to acquit President Gbagbo, and we are awaiting his return for a real reconciliation in Côte d'Ivoire, which was the missing link," said Assoa. Adou, secretary general of the Ivorian Popular Front. party founded by Gbagbo.
Gbagbo and former Youth Minister Charles Blé Goude were released earlier this month after being acquitted of having participated in acts of violence that claimed more than 3,000 lives. people following the controversial 2010 presidential elections in Côte d. Ivory.
Prosecutors said they plan to appeal acquittals and that men should only be released under strict conditions to ensure their return to court for hearings. A hearing Friday will discuss the appeal against their release.
Since the ICC made its decision, Gbagbo's supporters have hailed him as "the messiah" and some are talking about a possible presidential election in 2020.
Observers have, however, indicated that Côte d 'Ivoire has failed to find genuine peace and that many political actors from 2010 remain active. The country has been relatively stable since 2017, following mutinies by soldiers. The economy is expected to be one of the most dynamic in Africa this year.
Despite the wishes of his supporters for his return, Mr. Gbagbo could be thwarted by an international arrest warrant issued by the Ivorian government against him after a conviction in absentia last year for embezzling funds from the country. West African Central Bank. He faces a 20-year prison sentence and will likely have to negotiate with the government before attempting to return home.
In August, President Albadane Ouattara, who defeated Gbagbo in the disputed vote of 2010, granted a general amnesty to 800 people, including Gbagbo's wife, Simone, in a gesture of reconciliation. The amnesty did not specify whether it applied to the former president.
"When the time comes if (Laurent Gbagbo) will return to Côte d'Ivoire, justice will advise him," said Justice Minister Sansan Kambile this month.
Political badyst Honore Kablan said that Gbagbo is pushing to return home.
"Laurent Gbagbo is a political beast, it is not this pursuit of national justice that will make him back down," said Kablan. "On the contrary, he will negotiate his return to the country with the current power and, once he enters Côte d 'Ivoire, he will again animate the political debate."
Gbagbo and Ouattara were once allies, but they scrambled after the 1999 coup that finally deposed the leader Henri Konan Bedie. Later, when he was president, Gbagbo accused Ouattara of leading a rebellion that divided the country between 2002 and 2011.
Supporters of Ouattara and his party encourage him to run for a third term. He said that he would decide early next year.
Victims of post-election violence opposed Gbagbo's return to Côte d'Ivoire. Many have demonstrated against his release.
"If the ICC releases Gbagbo, let her know that she will be responsible for the events that will follow," said Amidou Kante, the parent of a victim. "We are not getting justice, and today we can not accept Gbagbo's return, which could cause new problems."
As for Blé Goudé, he transformed his movement, the Coordination of Young Patriots, into a political party. His party declared that he would be a presidential candidate, while he declared that he wanted above all to be released from The Hague before making a decision regarding the race to the horizon. 2020.
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