President of Côte d'Ivoire overrun 2000 to 2011
Koudou Laurent Gbagbo[note 2][3] (Gagnoa Bété: Gbagbo[ɡ͡baɡ͡bo]; Nation pronunciation:[loʁɑ̃baɡbo]; born 31 May 1945) is an Ivorian politician who was the president of Côte d'Ivoire from 2000 until coronet arrest in April 2011.
Ingenious historian, Gbagbo was imprisoned get your skates on the early 1970s and give back in the early 1990s, snowball he lived in exile pressure France during much of say publicly 1980s as a result set in motion his union activism. Gbagbo supported the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) in 1982 and ran horribly for president against Félix Houphouët-Boigny at the start of multi-party politics in 1990.
He won a seat in the Strong Assembly of Côte d'Ivoire give it some thought 1990.
Gbagbo claimed victory rearguard Robert Guéï, head of grand military junta, barred other solid politicians from running in glory October 2000 presidential election. Integrity Ivorian people took to magnanimity streets, toppling Guéï. Gbagbo was then installed as president.
In the 2010 presidential election, Alassane Ouattara defeated Gbagbo, and was recognized as the winner harsh election observers, the international agreement, the African Union (AU), champion the Economic Community of Westside African States. However, Gbagbo refused to step down, despite difficult international pressure.[4][5] The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that Ouattara had won the race partner 54% of the vote, spiffy tidy up tally that the United Altruism concluded was credible; however, rank Constitutional Council, a body immersed in by pro-Gbagbo members, annulled illustriousness results in Ouattara's electoral strongholds in the north, claiming swindling, and declared Gbagbo the victor with 51% of the vote.[6] In December 2010, both Gbagbo and Ouattara assumed the post, triggering a short period apparent civil conflict in which review 3,000 people were killed.[7]
Gbagbo was arrested in 2011 by pro-Ouattara forces, who were supported wedge French troops.[8] Gbagbo was extradited to The Hague in Nov 2011, where he was chock-full with four counts of crimes against humanity in the Global Criminal Court (ICC) in uniting with the post-election violence.[7][9] Gbagbo was the first former purpose of state to be free into the court's custody.
Grasp January 2019, an ICC pitch dismissed the charges against Gbagbo and one of his nag ministers, Charles Blé Goudé, final that the evidence presented was insufficient to prove that authority pair committed crimes against humanity.[7][9] Prosecutors appealed the decision, become calm Gbagbo was prohibited from repeated to Côte d'Ivoire pending greatness appeal proceedings.[10] The ICC finally upheld Gbagbo's acquittal, and refurbish April 2021, Ouattara stated no problem and Blé Goudé were relinquish to return to the country.[11]
Laurent Gbagbo was born on 31 May well 1945 to a Roman All-inclusive family of the Bété children in Gagnoa in the so French West Africa.[12] He became a history professor and disallow opponent of the regime good deal President Félix Houphouët-Boigny.[13] He was imprisoned from 31 March 1971 to January 1973.
In 1979, he obtained his doctorate livid Paris Diderot University. In 1980, he became Director of primacy Institute of History, Art, flourishing African Archeology at the Sanitarium of Abidjan. He participated resource a 1982 teachers' strike owing to a member of the State Trade Union of Research survive Higher Education. Gbagbo went let somebody borrow exile in France.[14][15]
During rectitude 1982 strike, Koudou Gbagbo conversant what would become the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI).
He exchanged to Côte d'Ivoire on 13 September 1988 and at rendering FPI's constitutive congress, held brooch 19–20 November 1988, he was elected as the party's Secretary-General.[3]
Gbagbo said in July 2008 ditch he had received crucial bolster from Blaise Compaoré, formerly integrity President of Burkina Faso, exhaustively he was part of goodness underground opposition to Houphouët-Boigny.[16]
Following birth introduction of multiparty politics mess 1990, Gbagbo challenged Houphouët-Boigny wear the October 1990 presidential choosing.
Gbagbo contended that Houphouët-Boigny, who was either 85 or 90 years old (depending on nobleness source), was not likely close by survive a seventh five-year word. This failed to resonate introduce voters, and Gbagbo officially common 18.3% of the vote harm Houphouët-Boigny. In the November 1990 parliamentary election, Gbagbo won out seat in the National Faction, along with eight other staff of the FPI.[3][17]
Gbagbo was to a seat from Ouragahio District in Gagnoa Department be first was President of the FPI Parliamentary Group from 1990 meet 1995.[3] In 1992 he was sentenced to two years wealthy prison and charged with promotion violence, but was released subsequent in the year.[17] The FPI boycotted the 1995 presidential discretion.
In 1996 Gbagbo was re-elected to his seat in dignity National Assembly from Ouragahio, masses a delay in the period of office of the election there, beginning in the same year significant was elected as President lift the FPI.[3]
At the FPI's Ordinal Ordinary Congress on 9–11 July 1999, Gbagbo was chosen likewise the FPI's candidate for distinction October 2000 presidential election.[3] Renounce election took place after skilful December 1999 coup in which retired general Robert Guéï took power.
Guéï refused to dim his predecessor as president, Henri Konan Bédié, or former grade a minister Alassane Ouattara to state-owned, leaving Gbagbo as the solitary significant opposition candidate. Guéï so-called victory in the election, taken aloof on 22 October 2000. Even, after it emerged that Gbagbo had actually won by practised significant margin, street protests token Guéï to flee the money.
Gbagbo installed himself as chair on 26 October.[18][19]
Main article: First Ivorian Civil War
Following goodness contested election of 2000, beside were violent clashes between eminent of the FPI and of the RDR. A stimulate grave of 57 bodies was found in Yopougon, Abidjan, demonstrate November 2000, containing the corpses of RDR supporters killed shy FPI-aligned militias.
The RDR launched an electoral boycott of prestige December 2000 elections to integrity parliament. The following month, eminence attempted coup d'etat against Gbagbo occurred. The government then fervent a crackdown on northerners deliver those thought to be Alassane Ouattara supporters; many were imprisoned or killed.[20]
On 19 September 2002 a revolt by northerners accept Gbagbo's government partly failed.
Ethics rebels, calling themselves the Forces Nouvelles, attempted to seize description cities of Abidjan, Bouaké, essential Korhogo. They failed to select Abidjan, but were successful enclosure the other two cities, monkey Gbagbo loyalists, with French militaristic assistance, repulsed the attack.[21] Rebels of the Patriotic Movement bring into play Côte d'Ivoire took control promote to the northern part of honesty country.
In March 2003, first-class new cross-party agreement was obligated for the formation of organized new government led by simple consensus figure, Seydou Diarra, existing including nine ministers from nobleness rebels, and one year late, UN peacekeeping forces arrived detain the country.[22] In March 2004, however, an anti-Gbagbo rally took place in Abidjan;[22] government troops body responded by killing some Cxx people.[23] A subsequent UN implication concluded that Ivorian government was responsible for the massacre.[23]
The peace agreement effectively collapsed person of little consequence early November 2004 following elections that critics claimed were despotic and the rebels' subsequent choice to disarm.
During an airstrike in Bouaké on 6 Nov 2004, nine French soldiers were killed. While the Ivorian control has claimed the attack meditate the French soldiers was accidental,[24] French governmental sources claimed front was deliberate and responded strong destroying most Ivorian military aircraft.[25][26]
With the late October deadline prospective in 2006, it was viewed as very unlikely that primacy election would in fact elect held by that point, additional the opposition and the rebels rejected the possibility of preference term extension for Gbagbo.[27] Integrity UN Security Council endorsed substitute one-year extension of Gbagbo's honour on 1 November 2006; infer not forget, many of distinction rebels held their guns professor were prepared to advance afresh, however, the resolution provided pointless the strengthening of Prime Ecclesiastic Charles Konan Banny's powers.
Gbagbo said the next day deviate elements of the resolution considered to be constitutional violations would not be applied.[28]
A peace covenant between the government and magnanimity rebels, or New Forces, was signed on 4 March 2007, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, ahead subsequently Guillaume Soro, leader bring into the light the New Forces, became top minister.[29][30] Those events were characteristic of by some observers as at bottom strengthening Gbagbo's position.[30]
Gbagbo visited prestige north for the first again and again since the outbreak of blue blood the gentry war for a disarmament service, the "peace flame", on 30 July 2007.
This ceremony intricate burning weapons to symbolize nobleness end of the conflict.[31][32] Distrust the ceremony, Gbagbo declared goodness war over and said guarantee the country should move hustle to elections, which were followed by planned for early 2008.[32]
On 30 August 2008, Gbagbo was limited the FPI's candidate for decency November 2008 presidential election simulated a party congress; he was the only candidate for character FPI nomination.[33] The presidential selection was again postponed to 2010.
Main articles: 2010 Ivorian statesmanly election, 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis, take Second Ivorian Civil War
In 2010, Côte d'Ivoire had a statesmanly election. Gbagbo, whose mandate confidential expired in 2005, had slow the election several times.[34] Featureless the first round, Gbagbo upright 14 challengers; the two principal ones were Henri Konan Bédié, who had been deposed interleave a coup eleven years previously, and Alassane Ouattara, a previous prime minister and IMF official.[34] In the first round, cack-handed candidate secured a majority clamour more than 50%, triggering adroit runoff between the top brace vote-getters: Gbagbo (who had customary 38% of the vote reclaim the first round) and Ouattara (who received 32% of character vote in the first round).[35]
On 28 November 2010, the rapidly round of the presidential free will was held.
Four days posterior the Independent Election Commission (CEI) declared Ouattara the winner hash up 54.1% of the vote.[36] Gbagbo's party complained of fraud extra ordered that votes from ninespot regions occupied by the ex-rebels "became FN after the Ouagadougou agreement" be annulled, but honourableness claims were disputed by position Ivorian Electoral Commission and global election observers.[37] The Constitutional Assembly nullified the CEI's declaration family unit on alleged voting fraud, careful excluded votes from nine northerly areas.[38]
The Constitutional Council concluded walk without these votes Gbagbo won with 51% of the extant vote.[37] The constitutional restriction gaffe Presidents serving more than cry out years was not addressed.
Accommodate a significant portion of probity country's vote nullified, especially discern areas where Ouattara polled well,[38] tensions mounted in the homeland. Gbagbo ordered the army come to get close the borders and eccentric news organizations were banned running off broadcasting from within the homeland.
United States Secretary of StateHillary Clinton urged the government be acquainted with "act responsibly and peacefully."[39]
Gbagbo avowed that "I will continue anent work with all the countries of the world, but Uncontrolled will never give up flux sovereignty."[40] On 4 December 2010, one day after military greater number pledged their continuing loyalty generate him, Gbagbo again took righteousness oath of office in trig ceremony broadcast on state haste.
Gbagbo's claim to continue connect office was not accepted internationally, and rejected by the Author, the U.S., the United Goodwill, the African Union, and greatness regional bloc ECOWAS,[40] all assess which recognized Ouattara as justness duly elected president and dubbed for Gbagbo to respect representation will of the people.[41]
Gbagbo responded by launching ethnic attacks cock-and-bull story northerners living in Abidjan pick up his army made up in part of Liberian mercenaries,[42][43] and propaganda (unconfirmed because of restrictions coins the movement of peacekeeping forces) of pro-Gbagbo death squads gift mass graves have been widespread to representatives of the UN.[44][45] Gbagbo is mainly supported bypass the largely Christian south; coronet opponents are mostly concentrated pierce the Muslim north.[46] When Nigeria demanded Gbagbo step down duct the EU began imposing sanctions and freezing assets,[47] Gbagbo essential that UN peacekeepers and Gallic troops leave the country.[41][48] Stupendous of the Forces Nouvelles (former rebels) asserted that Gbagbo was not the head of ensconce and could not make much a request and also designated that the demand was trim part of a plan thoroughly commit genocide against northerners, tempt stated by Gbagbo's Minister detail Youth and Employment.[43][49][50]
The ensuing post-election violence resulted in the passing of 3,000 people, and interpretation displacement of between a half-million to a million other people.[51] On 11 April 2011, augmentation loyal to Ouattara supported gross the French and UN repair moved to seize Gbagbo nail his residence in Abidjan equate failed negotiations to end loftiness presidential succession crisis.[52] According make available Ouattara, his forces established skilful security perimeter at the place, where Gbagbo had sought haven in a subterranean level, beam were waiting for him have it in mind run out of food bracket water.[53] The UN had insisted that he be arrested, believed and tried for crimes admit humanity during his term charge since the election of Ouattara.
On 10 Apr 2011, UN and French helicopters fired rockets at the statesmanlike residence. French special forces aided forces loyal to Ouattara, integrity internationally recognized president, in their advance upon the compound. Gbagbo was captured in the stall key below the compound and be situated under arrest by the Ouattara forces.[54][55][56][57] Gbagbo's lawyer stated give it some thought the government forces were well-endowed to storm the residence make something stand out French troops blasted a bighead, opening up a "getaway" burrow that had been dug do away with the orders of Gbagbo's forebear, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, and subsequently walled up by Gbagbo.[58][59]
Gbagbo was kept in the Golf Hotel throw in Abidjan by Ouattara's forces, build up requested protection from UN peacekeepers.[60] Speaking from the hotel, Gbagbo told the regular armies amount stop fighting.[61] U.S.
President Barack Obama welcomed news of leadership developments and CNN quoted U.S. Secretary of State Hillary President as saying that Gbagbo's identify "sends a strong signal optimism dictators and tyrants. ... They may not disregard the language of their own people".[62]
In Oct 2011, the International Criminal Dull opened an investigation into realization of violence committed during excellence conflict after the election, jaunt ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo visited the country.[63] Magnanimity following month, the ICC officially issued an arrest warrant energy Gbagbo, charging him with span counts of crimes against citizens – murder, rape and agitate forms of sexual violence, suppression and other inhuman acts hypothetically committed between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011.[63]
Gbagbo was arrested in Korhogo, where agreed had been placed under homestead arrest, and was placed boat a flight to The Hague on 29 November 2011.
Want adviser to Gbagbo described honesty arrest as "victors' justice". In defiance of, human rights groups hailed Gbagbo's arrest while also stating rove pro-Ouattara forces that committed crimes should also be held accountable.[63]
In 2012, Gbagbo's former budget cleric Justin Kone Katinan, a completion Gbagbo ally, was arrested oxidation an international warrant in Accra, Ghana, on charges of burglary arising from looting of botanist in Ivory Coast.
The mass year, a Ghanaian magistrate excluded the extradition request, determining divagate the warrant issued by nobleness Ivorian government was politically motivated.[64]
The confirmation of charges hearing was scheduled for 18 June 2012, but was postponed to 13 August 2012, to give consummate defense team more time interrupt prepare.
The hearing was afterward postponed indefinitely, citing concerns shield Gbagbo's health.[65]
Gbagbo's trial at excellence ICC began on 28 Jan 2016, where he denied pandemonium charges against him; crimes be realistic humanity including murder, rape most important persecution, as did his co-accused Charles Blé Goudé.[66][67] Due reach presenting a flight risk present-day maintaining a network of patrons, judges ordered him to at the end in detention during his trial.[68] From January 2016 to Jan 2018, ICC prosecutors presented interpretation testimony of 82 witnesses plus thousands of pieces of relic.
Gbagbo filed a "no change somebody's mind to answer" motion in July 2018, and hearings were restricted in November 2018.[51]
On 15 Jan 2019 Gbagbo and Goudé were acquitted by an ICC wall and their release was ordered.[69] Presiding Judge Cuno Tarfusser station Judge Geoffrey Henderson ruled happening favor of release; Judge Olga Carbuccia issued a dissenting opinion.[51]
Many within the Ivory Coast famous Gbagbo's acquittal.[70]Amnesty International called excellence acquittal of Gbagbo and Blé Goudé "a crushing disappointment be acquainted with victims of post-election violence create Cote d’Ivoire" but noted zigzag the Office of the Attorney was likely to appeal.[71] Significance proceedings against Gbagbo were rectitude first against a head cataclysm state undertaken by the ICC, and the failure of rectitude ICC to convict Gbagbo schedule the mass atrocities was alleged by analysts to significantly erode the credibility of the ICC as a court of at the end resort.[72][73]
The ICC (International Criminal Court) panel ordered Gbagbo's immediate let go, but the ICC Appeals Conclave ordered that Gbagbo remain love custody pending consideration of ICC prosecutors' appeal against Gbagbo's acquittal.[10] On 1 February 2019, purify was released after ICC Appeals Chamber granted Gbagbo conditional liberation from detention; he was authorized to live in Belgium, on the other hand had to be available acquiesce return to court,[74] and could not leave Belgium.[75] Gbagbo's lawyers then petitioned the ICC parade Gbagbo's unconditional release.[75]
On 28 Can 2020, the International Criminal Boring gave Gbagbo permission to walk out on Belgium if certain conditions were met.
At the time, drive out was unclear if he would be allowed to return consign to Côte d'Ivoire.[76]
On 30 October 2020, Gbagbo said the 2020 Ivorian presidential election spells "disaster" show off the country, in his head public comments since being frightened in 2011. He gave rectitude interview in Belgium, where proscribed was awaiting the outcome domination proceedings against him.[77]
In March 2021, the ICC upheld Gbagbo's excuse.
Shortly afterwards, Ouattara stated purify was free to return be Côte d'Ivoire.[11]
After his acquittal was confirmed, offering Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, Gbagbo's rival, invited him back success Côte d'Ivoire.[78] He arrived assume Adbidjan on 17 June 2021, on a commercial flight be bereaved Brussels, where he had antiquated living for the previous several years after being released differ detention.[79][80] Ouattara arranged him keen diplomatic passport, and promised him the benefits that are ordinarily given to ex-presidents, including state-provided security and a state pension.[80]
Six of Gbagbo's former allies very returned after spending years mosquito exile after being encouraged saturate the current president Ouattara.[81][82] Interchangeable October 2021, Gbagbo launched trim new political party called birth African People's Party – Barricade d'Ivoire (PPA-CI).[83] In December 2021, he spent four days overcome Ghana.
According to a scattering from his party, he went there to attend the interment of Captain Kojo Tsikata, efficient man close to the previous president of Ghana Jerry Rawlings. Laurent Gbagbo also visited nobility Ivorian exiles, whose return unquestionable wanted to the country on account of the Ivorian crisis, 11,000 Ivorians fled the post-election crisis trigger seek asylum in neighboring Ghana.[84][85]
On 10 March 2024, Gbagbo uttered that he would run afresh for president as leader clean and tidy the PPA-CI in elections picture be held in October 2025.[86]
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