Announced in Abidjan around 3:45 pm from Brussels (Belgium), the plane of the former Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo, will arrive with a small delay at the Félix Houphouet Boigny airport in Abidjan.
Besides this fact, activists are divided over Simone Gbagbo’s presence at the airport to welcome her husband. In a tweet published on Wednesday, June 16, Me Dadjé Rodrigue, Simone Gbagabo’s lawyer, said he was shocked by a statement by Monnet Léon Emmanuel, advising Simone Gbagbo not to take part in welcoming the ex President.
“I learned this evening that Mr. Monnet Léon, the general coordinator of the organization of the reception of President Laurent Gbagbo, came in person to see Mrs. Simone Gbagbo to inform her that President Laurent Gbagbo would not want her see him at the airport on June 17 to welcome him. I am shocked by this information and hope that Mrs. Simone Gbagbo will be present at the airport, “said the note from Mr. Dadjé Rodrigue.
Husband and comrade in struggle of Laurent Gbagbo, Simone Gbagbo was a Member of Parliament for Abobo from 1995-2001 and currently vice president of the pro-Gbgagbo Ivorian Popular Front (Fpi). Considered an iron lady of the party, she was arrested at the same time as Laurent Gbagbo on April 11. Transferred to northern Côte d’Ivoire, she was tried in 2015 for endangering state security. In 2018, she received a presidential pardon to be released.
Early this morning, skirmishes were observed on the section leading to Félix Houphouët Boigny airport. Young pro-Gbgabo, who were trying to meet in groups were dispersed by tear gas at the Akwaba crossroads (Port Bouet). 300 meters from the airport, not far from the Radisson Blu, barricards have been erected to prevent the crowd from overflowing.
