Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo returned to Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, 17 June 2021, around 4:30 pm, after being ousted from power in 2011. Departing from Brussels where he had been living since his acquittal by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in January 2019, the former head of state was hailed for his descent from the plane by a hundred people. Moments of strong emotion for the one who led Côte d’Ivoire from 2000 to 2011.
Laurent Gbagbo is back home this Thursday, June 17, 2021 after more than 10 years of absence. Arriving by regular flight in the afternoon, he was warmly welcomed by his relatives, the leaders of his party, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), the staff of the airport and the airline. However, just before the former Ivorian president landed, the police had to use tear gas grenades to disperse the crowd that came to welcome Laurent Gbagbo.
After this royal welcome due to a former head of state, the man, now 76 years old, went directly to his former country headquarters located in the neighborhood of Attoban where a crazy world was waiting for him to express their satisfaction to see him again in Côte d’Ivoire.
Laurent Gbagbo was arrested in April 2011 during the five-month post-election crisis, during which more than 3,000 people were killed. He was forced to give way to Alassane Ouattara, declared winner of the presidential election.
