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While Laurent Gbagbo returned to the Ivory Coast on Thursday, June 17, his former co-accused is still on hold. Charles Blé Goudé was acquitted of the same number of crimes against humanity on March 31 by the ICC, but still resides in the Netherlands. But he hopes to soon be able to set foot on Ivorian soil.
Charles Blé Goudé has been waiting for his passport for more than three months, but the secretary general of his party, COJEP, Patrice Saraka, remains optimistic and assures that “the procedure is ongoing”. Representatives of the former leader of the Young Patriots had preliminary meetings with the Minister responsible for reconciliation Bertin Konan Kouadio. “Once the passport is issued, we will be able to enter the operational phase,” adds Patrice Saraka.
A criminal verdict awaits Charles Blé Goudé in Côte d’Ivoire. Twenty years ‘imprisonment, ten years’ deprivation of civil rights and 200 million CFA francs in damages (300,000 euros). A verdict in Abidjan in December 2019 for “acts of torture, intentional murder and rape”.
His relatives believe that this issue will be resolved politically, that the government must know how to make a “sacrifice” to go in the direction of reconciliation, but that this is not a prerequisite for him to return. Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé do not enjoy legal benefits. The authorities do not recognize his rank as a minister in the government formed during the post-election crisis. Returning to the country will therefore be his responsibility.
Charles Blé Goudé had urged his supporters to join Laurent Gbagbo’s popular reception on Thursday, via an operation called “Akwaba Woody”. In early April, he declared in several media outlets, including RFI, to ask for “forgiveness” from the Ivorians. He now hopes to return home for a “peace tour” and return to politics.
Reading and listening to Charles Blé Goudé: “What I went through, I do not want my worst enemy”
Charles Blé Goudé has been visiting France since the weekend, to hold talks and meet activists from his party.
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