He had given himself a few days of rest after his return with great fanfare to the Ivory Coast last Thursday. And it is Sunday, June 20, that Laurent Gbagbo has chosen for his first public appearance. The former president created a surprise by attending Sunday Mass at the Cathedral on the Plateau, Abidjan’s business district. An excursion that aroused many emotions among the faithful present.
as reported from Abidjan, Sidy Yansane
Apart from the leaders of his party, no one was aware of Laurent Gbagbo’s presence at Saint-Paul Cathedral on the plateau. When the few faithful latecomers see him get out of his vehicle, wearing a white shirt, supported by his security service, they take the time to greet him before entering the place of worship.
Two hours of sermons and hymns parade, before Monsignor Jean-Pierre Kutwa invites the former head of state to take the stage. The believers, who have held back until now, are worried.
Cardinal Jean-Pierre Kutwa offers a white rosary to Laurent Gbagbo and addresses him with a few words about the country’s socio-political news: “The reconciliation train is on rails, but the train must go to the peace station.”
The former president did not say a word, but the tension is still palpable at the end of the fair: “To see our president among us this morning, we leave with a beautiful note. We are in emotion, it really is our president “, insists a faithful. “Really, I’m very moved, I still have tears in my eyes,” says one parishioner. Because it shows that faith wins battles. ”
Laurent Gbagbo plans to go to his village Mama, “safe this week”, trusted one of his relatives.
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