Statement of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation on the acquital and release by the Internal Criminal Court, of Former President of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Laurent Gbagbo.

JANUARY 16, 2019.

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation (TMF) has noted the important news of the acquittal and release by the International Criminal Court, of former President of Cote d’Ivoire.

We welcome this development which we hope will contribute positively to Cote d’Ivoire’s continued efforts in pursuit for sustainable peace, national reconciliation and justice.

In this regard, we stand in support of the views expressed by the Africa Forum – the forum of former African Heads of State and Government, in its letter submitted to the ICC prosecutor, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, on September 09, 2015, appealing for the release of President Gbagbo.

In the letter, the Forum said it had made its appeal in the “…context of our serious concern that Cote d’Ivoire should continue to grow and develop for the benefit of all its citizens, in conditions of peace, democracy and the rule of law, national reconciliation and unity” and that “that Mr. Laurent Gbagbo should be allowed to make his important and unique contribution in the pursuit of peace and reconciliation in Cote d’Ivoire.”

It further underscored the point that “the situation in Cote d’Ivoire requires and demands that the Ivorian people continue to engage in a process of peace and reconciliation by democratic means and in a truly inclusive manner, working together in conditions of peace and security. Peace is a very important element in the pursuit of justice.”

We therefore make an urgent call for all Ivorian parties to engage in an immediate process of dialogue. As the Foundation we stand ready and committed to assisting to ensure the success of this process.

Attached to this statement, below, is a link to the majority judgment of the ICC.

Issued by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation
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