Ivory Coast: COJEP announces the return of Ivory Coast COJEP Blé Goudé

In a statement issued on Tuesday 19 October 2022, the Pan-African Congress for Justice and Peoples’ Equality (COJEP) announced the imminent return of its president Charles Blé Goudé to Ivory Coast.

Patrice Saraka is the spokesperson for COJEP. According to him, the Ivorian authorities have formally given their written consent for the return of Mr. Blé to Ivory Coast since September 30.

“Four months after the delivery of his passport, President Charles Blé Goudé and COJEP are pleased to inform national and international opinion, Ivorians, Africans, his family, officials, … as well as all natural and legal persons who have supported him in this ordeal of long waiting that on September 30, 2022, the Ivorian authorities have formally given their agreement in writing for his return to Ivory Coast, “said Mr. Saraka.

All measures taken for a peaceful return of Goudé

In his statement, the COJEP spokesperson also reassures that the Head of State Alassane Ouattara has ordered that adequate measures be taken for the safe return of Charles Blé Goudé.

Better still, with a view to ensuring that the said return takes place in a peaceful climate and under good conditions, the President of the Republic of Ivory Coast, His Excellency, Alassane Ouattara has instructed his Chief of Staff, His Excellency, Ambassador Claude Sahi, to continue discussions with President Charles Blé Goudé and/or his representatives for practical security arrangements related to this return, the exact date of which will be communicated to the national and international public as soon as possible,” Dr Saraka said.

For their part, Charles Blé Goudé and his party reiterated their gratitude to President Alassane Ouattara for the “special attention” he is giving to this case.

Charles Blé Goudé, former leader of the Ivorian ‘Young Patriots’ was acquitted at the same time as Laurent Gbagbo by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2021. Laurent Gbagbo has returned to Ivory Coast since 17 June 2021, unlike Charles Blé Goudé who is still in the Netherlands.