In his latest press interview held on Tuesday, August 22nd, at his headquarters in Abidjan, Cocody-Attoban, former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo condemned the coup in Niger, stating that the era of Bazoum was over. These remarks didn’t sit well with the president of the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front), Pascal Affi N’guessan, who believes that the coup in Niger is not yet accomplished.
Laurent Gbagbo, who clearly expressed his opposition to the coup that led to the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum by the coup plotters, said, “Those who make Bazoum believe that he can be reinstated in power are lying to him.” Opposing military intervention in Niger, Laurent Gbagbo views such action as the “most foolish war.”
“It’s false to pretend that we are going to Niger to establish Bazoum in a democratic position. We are influenced from below to attack oil, uranium, or gas. Although Bazoum has been overthrown, it’s necessary to take a stance to negotiate for his release.”
“But making him believe that we will reinstate him in power, we are lying to him, the coup is done. Bazoum is a pretext; we need to advocate for his release and for a head of state from the sub-region to agree to receive him and his family,” he declared.
In response to Laurent Gbagbo, Affi N’guessan disagrees with the former Ivorian president. The president of the FPI, who is now collaborating with the ruling party despite his leftist background, states that the coup in Niger has not taken place. “The coup in Niger is not consummated. As for us, we support all ECOWAS initiatives to restore President Mohamed Bazoum to his functions. This struggle is imperative for the victory of democracy and the stability of our sub-region,” he stated.
