By Benjamin Tengbeh|LPR News, Abidjan
The Collective of Victims of the 2010-2011 have announced a massive protest on Monday, May 10, 2021 against the planned return to Côte d’Ivoire of former president Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé, the two Ivorians recently acquitted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to Mr. Issiaka Diaby, president the collective victims “It is not for the authorities of Cote d’Ivoire to guarantee Gbagbo’s safety, they have the right to arrest him and send him to prison”
“They do not intend to waver in their desire to obstruct the announced return to Côte d’Ivoire of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé, his godson” Issiaka Diaby and his comrades of the Collective of the victims of the post-electoral crisis of 2010-2011, told Liberia Public Radio recently in Abidjan.
According to informed sources who hinted the Liberia Liberia Public Radio in Abidjan, the group is planning what is considered as “a sit-in protest” expected to take place next Monday May 10, 2021 in front of the Abidjan court.
President Issiaka Diabay seems to be mounting pressure on the Ivorian justice to execute its decision condemning in absentia, to 20 years in prison, Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé.
“On the day of Laurent Gbagbo and Blé Goudé’s arrival, the victims will demonstrate so that they are arrested and thrown at the MACA (the country’s largest prison).
“We will carry out our actions in a civic manner in synergy with all human rights organizations, anxious to see Côte d’Ivoire regain its former glory, “said Issiaka Diaby.
Through this gathering, the Collective wants to denounce impunity in Côte d’Ivoire, set up as a mode of governance, and order that the two judicial warrants and the two decisions already established, be handed over to the police so that, upon arrival of Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé at the airport, that they be taken directly to the
MACA, our Correspondent said.
“We will not compromise on the execution of these two judicial warrants.
“It is not for the authorities to guarantee the safety of Laurent Gbagbo, they have the right to arrest him and send him to prison,” he warned.
The post-election crisis of 2010-2011, can be remembered, killed at least 3,000 people, according to an official United Nations report.
Presumed responsible for the abuses committed during these unfortunate events, the former president Laurent Gbagbo and his ex-prisoner Charles Blé Goudé were acquitted at the end of a trial which saw several twists and turns.
The return the two Ivorian politicians to Côte d’Ivoire is announced, but without a specific date.
