He led the West African nation for six years before being overthrown in 1999. In recent years he continued to shape its politics as head of an opposition party.
27 July 2021 By AFP 2 min 12Approximate reading time Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara offered a hearty welcome to his predecessor Laurent Gbagbo on Tuesday as the rivals met for the first time since the West African country’s deadly 2010-11 conflict, saying the turmoil was “behind us”. “How are you Laurent? Happy to see you,” Ouattara said as Gbagbo arrived at the presidential palace in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan. At a joint news conference after their meeting, Ouattara said: “This crisis created differences, but that is behind us. What is important for Ivory Coast is peace in our country.” Gbagbo, for his part, called for the release of prisoners held since the crisis, which was sparked by his refusal to accept defeat at the ballot box to Ouattara.
Gbagbo called on Ouattara to free civil war prisoners during visit africanews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from africanews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Daily Monitor
Wednesday July 28 2021
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara (R) and his predecessor and former rival Laurent Gbagbo (L) address a press conference at the presidential palace in Abidjan, on July 27, 2021 following their first talks since Gbagbo returned last month from Europe after a nearly 10-year absence. PHOTO/AFP
Summary How are you, Laurent? Happy to see you, Ouattara said as Gbagbo arrived at the presidential palace in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan.
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Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara offered a hearty welcome to his predecessor Laurent Gbagbo on Tuesday as the rivals met for the first time since the West African country s deadly 2010-11 conflict, saying the turmoil was behind us .
Ivory Coast rivals reunite, saying conflict behind us taipeitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from taipeitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.