Laurent Gbagbo Return and The Irovry Coast

 

Laurent Gbagbo has returned to Ivory Coast. There is no indication if Gbagbo intends to be active in politics following ten  years out of the country . He was acquitted of criminal charges by the ICC. The legitimacy of the International Crimes Court has been called into question. A disproportionate  number of African leaders have been targeted by the ICC. European leaders rarely are subject to the ICC despite involvement in numerous wars in both Africa and Asia. President Alassane Outarra has held the presidency ever since 2011 and Gbagbo's return could be a political threat. Ivory Coast fell into violence following the disputed election in 2010. Fears grow that peaceful transfers of power could result in a long lasting civil war. During Gbagbo's presidency, there was war between the opposition. The French backed and UN forces captured Gbagbo in 2011 placing Outarra in power. The run off election did not bring an end to disputes. The narrative was that he lost the election and was clinging to power. The ICC case found no evidence that their was a plan to keep Gbagbo in power. Nor was there evidence of a plot to murder civilians. Gbagbo could still face prison in Ivory Coast. Such an action would cause more outrage in a country divided.