Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-24 12:40:05
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has granted clemency to 51 individuals who were convicted of treason and other state security charges. The pardon, which was announced by the National Security Council, includes both military and civilian figures who were involved in offenses during the post-electoral crisis and were deemed to have endangered state security.
One of the pardoned individuals is General Dogbo Blé Brunot, who served as the commander of the Republican Guard under former President Laurent Gbagbo. Another beneficiary of the presidential clemency is Koné Kamaraté Souleymane, who was Guillaume Soro’s head of protocol during his tenure as Prime Minister and head of the National Assembly.
Guillaume Soro, a former ally and comrade of President Ouattara, fell out with him in 2019. Soro, who was sentenced in absentia to twenty years in prison for embezzlement of public funds and then to life imprisonment for endangering state security, has been living in exile since then. He has consistently denied the charges against him.
The decision to pardon these individuals is seen as a significant step towards reconciliation and peace in Côte d’Ivoire. It is hoped that this act of clemency will help to heal old wounds and bridge the divides that have existed in the country since the post-electoral crisis.
President Ouattara’s decision to grant clemency to these individuals reflects a willingness to move past the conflicts of the past and embrace a future of peace and unity. By offering forgiveness and a chance for redemption, the president is signaling a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society in Côte d’Ivoire.
The pardon of General Dogbo Blé Brunot and Koné Kamaraté Souleymane, as well as the other 49 individuals, is a significant gesture of goodwill and a demonstration of the president’s desire to bring about reconciliation and healing in the country. It is a symbol of hope for a better future and a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and unity in moving forward from a tumultuous past.
As Côte d’Ivoire continues on its path towards stability and development, the act of clemency towards these individuals serves as a beacon of light in what has been a dark period of conflict and division. It is a reminder that forgiveness and reconciliation are powerful tools for building a more peaceful and prosperous society for all.
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