Credit: icc.int /   Former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Ivory Coast’s former president Laurent Gbagbo, who  is currently freed conditionally by the International Criminal Court (ICC), has applied for a passport so that he can return home.  In May, the ICC  eased conditions on the release of  Gbagbo following his acquittal of war crimes charges that would allow him to return to  his home in west-African where presidential elections are to be held October.  The ICC authorized Gbagbo and the former head of the Young Ivorian Patriots, Charles Blé Goudé, to leave Brussels and The Hague, under certain conditions.  Gbagbo and  Blé Goudé were charged with four counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, and other inhumane acts, or – in the alternative – attempted murder and persecution stemming from post-electoral violence in Côte d’Ivoire between December 16, 2010 and April 12, 2011.  Both Gbagbo, who  resides  in Brussels,  and  Blé Goudé, living in The Hague,  have expressed a strong desire to return to their home country.   Gbagbo reportedly initiated  multiple unsuccessful requests to the foreign minister in Abidjan for a diplomatic passport.   Gbagbo then went to the Ivory Coast embassy in Brussels to request an ordinary passport and clearance to visit,  according to his lawyer, Habiba Toure. 

Gbagbo  and  Blé Goudé Desire to Return Home To Ivory Coast

©ICC-CPI /  Gbagbo and Blé Goudé at the hearing held on 15 January 2019 before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.

 Ivory Coast Government Opposes  Gbagbo’s Return Home Ahead Of Elections

The ICC in In January 2019 acquitted Gbagbo, now 74-years-old,  and he was freed from The Hague jail. However, Gbagbo remained on interim release in Belgium pending determination of an appeal by the prosecutor.  His lawyers appealed for his unconditional release, arguing that imposing the conditions was erroneous as it lacked a legal basis.  Now,  any country in which the two men wish to go must in particular agree to receive them on its territory beforehand, including Ivory Coast.   However, the Ivory Coast government of current president Alassane Dramane Ouattara is vehemently opposed to having Gbagbo and  Blé Goudé  return home, as they remain extremely popular and could shake up the presidential elections . The government of the Ivory Coast has said that it opposes former Gbagbo’s unconditional release by the ICC because his return would destabilize the west African country.  

Ivory Coast Ruling Party Nominates President Ouattara to Seek Another Term

Ivory Coast’s ruling RHDP party Wednesday nominated President  Ouattara to seek re-election. However, Ouattara indicated he is withholding a decision on seeking a third term. Opposition groups in Ivory Coast oppose Ouattara extending his 10-year reign, citing a third term in office would be unconstitutional.  Voters are expected to choose the country’s next president on October 31.