Laurent Gbagbo continues to fight for the release of his former colleagues imprisoned following the post-electoral crisis of 2010-2011 in Ivory Coast. In a recent interview, he affirmed that he would continue to struggle for their release.
During his press conference on August 22, 2023, the former Ivorian President addressed the issue of political detainees in Ivory Coast. Laurent Gbagbo, president of the PPA-CI, began by emotionally mentioning the list of names of these prisoners, who were largely military personnel.
Furthermore, he mentioned certain members of the army, such as Dogbo Blé Bruno, Aby Jean, Oukou Léopold, Yatoua Tapé Paulin, Kipré Yakpa, and Toh Ferdinand, as well as Gnakouri Félicien from the National Navy, Séka Yapo Anselme from the National Gendarmerie, and Gnakouri Longué from the National Police.
According to his statements, these individuals were employed by him. He then expressed his surprise at their arrest after his acquittal by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Additionally, Laurent Gbagbo deemed the duration of sentences handed to various detainees inconsistent.
Some who were sentenced to longer terms have been released after serving part of their sentence, while others sentenced to shorter terms are still incarcerated.
For Laurent Gbagbo, the current situation goes beyond his own incarceration. “People who have spent 12 years in prison, they have wives, children. I regularly meet with their wives. We cannot continue to live like this. It’s no longer just about prison, it’s about hatred. I continue to call for their release,” he declared.
