Statement of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation on the decision of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court to retain President Laurent Gbagbo under detention pending an appeal process.

January 19, 2019

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation notes the decision of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) to grant the ICC Prosecutor’s request for suspensive effect.

This effect maintains the continued detention of former President of Cote D’ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo and Mr Charles Ble Goude pending the consideration of the present appeal. The appeal seeks to overturn the decision of the ICC’s Trail Chamber which acquitted President Gbagbo and Mr Ble Goude of crimes against humanity and ordered for their immediate release.

The Foundation wishes to reiterate its position and that of the Africa Forum with regards to the impact of the continued and prolonged detainment of President Gbagbo and Mr Ble Goude on the development of Cote d’Ivoire and its pursuit for sustainable peace, national reconciliation and justice.

We therefore hope that in its consideration of the Prosecutor’s case, on the 1st of February 2019, the ICC’s Appeals Chamber reflects on the interests of the Ivorian people as of utmost priority.

Issued by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation
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