The Ivorian head of state, Alassane Ouattara has confirmed “regularly meeting” with his predecessors Laurent Gbagbo and Henri Konan Bedie, with a view to consolidating reconciliation.
“”Others consider it an exceptional meeting, but we must consider that it is rather ordinary and that it will be regular and each time my predecessors will have time to resume these exchanges,”” President Ouattara said.
“I would call on them to collect their opinions and recommendations (and) I find that this will be a very good thing for the nation,” Ouattara added, pointing out that this would allow him “to hear and listen to my predecessors and their experiences of the country.”
Gbagbo and Bedie are the main political leaders of the country given the political weight they carry and “we will have the opportunity to see each other regularly depending on their availability,” Ouattara added.
President Ouattara said he had a “good working session” with his predecessors.
Mr. Gbagbo said that “the President of the Republic and his two predecessors have expressed their willingness to make this first meeting a leavening of the national social-political climate in Cote d’Ivoire.”
“The President of the Republic welcomed the spontaneity of the response to his invitation,” said Mr. Gbagbo, stressing that he and Mr. Bedie “expressed their gratitude to President Alassane Ouattara for his brotherly welcome.”
This meeting comes against the backdrop of recommendations of the political dialogue between the government, political groups and parties, and civil society.
AP/ls/cgd/fss/as/APA