74-538: Koudou Laurent Gbagbo ( Gagnoa Bété : Gbagbo [ɡ͡baɡ͡bo] ; French pronunciation: [loʁɑ̃ baɡbo] ; born 31 May 1945) is an Ivorian politician who was the president of Côte d'Ivoire from 2000 until his arrest in April 2011. A historian, Gbagbo was imprisoned in the early 1970s and again in the early 1990s, and he lived in exile in France during much of the 1980s as a result of his union activism. Gbagbo founded
148-541: A revolt by northerners against Gbagbo's government partly failed. The rebels, calling themselves the Forces Nouvelles , attempted to seize the cities of Abidjan, Bouaké , and Korhogo . They failed to take Abidjan, but were successful in the other two cities, as Gbagbo loyalists, with French military assistance, repulsed the attack. Rebels of the Patriotic Movement of Côte d'Ivoire took control of
222-647: A close Gbagbo ally, was arrested on an international warrant in Accra , Ghana , on charges of robbery arising from looting of banks in Ivory Coast. The following year, a Ghanaian magistrate rejected the extradition request, determining that the warrant issued by the Ivorian government was politically motivated. The confirmation of charges hearing was scheduled for 18 June 2012, but was postponed to 13 August 2012, to give his defense team more time to prepare. The hearing
296-432: A coalition to unseat Compaoré early on in the race, ultimately nobody wanted to give up their spot in the race to another leader in the coalition, and the pact fell through. Following Compaoré's victory, he was sworn in for another term on 20 December 2005. In 2008 many protests took place because of high living costs and call for wage increases. Compaoré responded by suspending import taxes on products like food for half
370-403: A commercial flight from Brussels , where he had been living for the previous three years after being released from detention. Ouattara arranged him a diplomatic passport, and promised him the benefits that are typically given to ex-presidents, including state-provided security and a state pension. Six of Gbagbo's former allies also returned after spending years in exile after being encouraged by
444-731: A mediator in regional issues. On 26 July 2006, he was designated as the mediator of the Inter-Togolese Dialogue, which was held in Ouagadougou in August 2006 and resulted in an agreement between the government and opposition parties. He has also acted as mediator in the crisis in Ivory Coast, brokering the peace agreement signed by the Ivorian president, Laurent Gbagbo , and the New Forces leader, Guillaume Soro , in Ouagadougou on 4 March 2007. In March 2012, he acted as
518-650: A mediator in talks between representatives of the Malian coup d'état and other regional leaders. He hosted talks with them to discuss peace to the conflict. The BBC noted in 2014 that he was 'the strongest ally to France and the United States in the region' and that 'despite his own history of backing rebels and fuelling civil wars in the West African neighbourhood ... more importantly, he used his networks to help Western powers battling Islamist militancy in
592-557: A referendum that would allow him to alter the constitution in order to seek re-election in 2015. Otherwise, he would be forced to step down due to term limits. On 30 October 2014, the National Assembly was scheduled to debate an amendment to the constitution that would have enabled Compaoré to stand for re-election as president in 2015. Opponents protested against this by storming the parliament building in Ouagadougou, starting fires inside it and looting offices. Billowing smoke
666-584: A request and also asserted that the demand was a part of a plan to commit genocide against northerners, as stated by Gbagbo's Minister of Youth and Employment. The ensuing post-election violence resulted in the death of 3,000 people, and the displacement of between a half-million to a million other people. On 11 April 2011, forces loyal to Ouattara supported by the French and UN forces moved to seize Gbagbo at his residence in Abidjan after failed negotiations to end
740-487: A revolt in their barracks reportedly over unpaid allowances. Their actions eventually spread to the presidential compound and other army bases. In the night, gunfire was reported at the presidential compound and an ambulance was seen leaving the compound. Soldiers also looted shops in the city through the night. In June 2014 Compaoré's ruling party, the Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP), called on him to organise
814-483: A short time after Blaise Campaoré is Roch Marc Christian Kaboré as of 29 December 2015. Compaoré introduced Charles Taylor to his friend Muammar Gaddafi . Compaoré also helped Taylor in the early 1990s by sending him troops and resources. In 1993, Compaoré headed the Burkina-Faso delegation that participated in the first Tokyo International Conference on African Development . Compaoré has been active as
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#1732773222861888-741: A strong signal to dictators and tyrants. ... They may not disregard the voice of their own people". In October 2011, the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into acts of violence committed during the conflict after the election, and ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo visited the country. The following month, the ICC formally issued an arrest warrant for Gbagbo, charging him with four counts of crimes against humanity – murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution and other inhuman acts allegedly committed between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011. Gbagbo
962-471: A week before that, Blaise Compaoré met with German , France , and with a European Union representative . They discussed their concerns that the country had violated the arms embargo against Sierra Leone and Unita rebels and were being accused of it. In 2003, numerous alleged plotters were arrested, following accusations of a coup plot against Compaoré . A trial would take place in April 2004 in which they were found guilty. Many sympathizers gathered around
1036-461: A year and by increasing commodity for water and electricity. Spanish Hostages Ransom Two Spanish aid workers were abducted in November 2009. A hunt was undertaken to find the kidnappers. Just one week before the hostages were freed, Ould Sid Ahmed Ould Hama the kidnapper fled to Mali before he was found and imprisoned for 12 years. It turned out the ransom was paid by Blaise Compaoré, and
1110-408: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Ivory Coast -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Blaise Compaor%C3%A9 Blaise Compaoré (born 3 February 1951) is a Burkinabé-Ivorian former politician who served as the second president of Burkina Faso from 1987 to 2014. He was a close associate of the first president, Thomas Sankara , during
1184-647: The 2020 Ivorian presidential election spells "disaster" for the country, in his first public comments since being toppled in 2011. He gave the interview in Belgium, where he was awaiting the outcome of proceedings against him. In March 2021, the ICC upheld Gbagbo's acquittal. Shortly afterwards, Ouattara stated he was free to return to Côte d'Ivoire. After his acquittal was confirmed, current Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara , Gbagbo's rival, invited him back to Côte d'Ivoire. He arrived in Adbidjan on 17 June 2021, on
1258-609: The Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) in 1982 and ran unsuccessfully for president against Félix Houphouët-Boigny at the start of multi-party politics in 1990. He won a seat in the National Assembly of Côte d'Ivoire in 1990. Gbagbo claimed victory after Robert Guéï , head of a military junta , barred other leading politicians from running in the October 2000 presidential election . The Ivorian people took to
1332-774: The Ivory Coast . In April 2022, he was found guilty by a special military tribunal of complicity in Sankara’s murder. He is also the longest-serving president of Burkina Faso. Compaoré was born in Ziniaré , Upper Volta on 3 February 1951. His father was a military veteran of the Second World War . He studied at a Catholic school in Fada N'gourma , followed by a Lycée in Ouagadougou . His mother died suddenly when he
1406-540: The 1980s and in October 1987 he led a coup d'état during which Sankara was killed . Subsequently, he introduced a policy of 'rectification', overturning the leftist and Third Worldist policies pursued by Sankara. He won elections in 1991 , 1998 , 2005 , and 2010 , in what were considered unfair circumstances. His attempt to amend the constitution to extend his 27-year term caused the 2014 Burkinabé uprising . On 31 October 2014, Compaoré resigned, whereupon he fled to
1480-482: The 1990s, Compaoré supported rebels in Sierra Leone during the country's civil War . The war would kill over 45,000 people and last for 11 years. Compaoré was elected as the president of Burkina Faso in 1991, in an election boycotted by the main opposition parties in protest at the questionable means Compaoré had used to take office in the first place. Only 25 percent of the electorate voted. In 1998, Compaoré
1554-449: The FPI. At the FPI's 3rd Ordinary Congress on 9–11 July 1999, Gbagbo was chosen as the FPI's candidate for the October 2000 presidential election . That election took place after a December 1999 coup in which retired general Robert Guéï took power. Guéï refused to allow his predecessor as president, Henri Konan Bédié , or former prime minister Alassane Ouattara to run, leaving Gbagbo as
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#17327732228611628-645: The Institute of History, Art, and African Archeology at the University of Abidjan . He participated in a 1982 teachers' strike as a member of the National Trade Union of Research and Higher Education. Gbagbo went into exile in France. During the 1982 strike, Koudou Gbagbo formed what would become the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI). He returned to Côte d'Ivoire on 13 September 1988 and at the FPI's constitutive congress, held on 19–20 November 1988, he
1702-568: The Ivory Coast celebrated Gbagbo's acquittal. Amnesty International called the acquittal of Gbagbo and Blé Goudé "a crushing disappointment to victims of post-election violence in Cote d’Ivoire" but noted that the Office of the Prosecutor was likely to appeal. The proceedings against Gbagbo were the first against a head of state undertaken by the ICC, and the failure of the ICC to convict Gbagbo for
1776-406: The New Forces, became prime minister. Those events were seen by some observers as substantially strengthening Gbagbo's position. Gbagbo visited the north for the first time since the outbreak of the war for a disarmament ceremony, the "peace flame", on 30 July 2007. This ceremony involved burning weapons to symbolize the end of the conflict. At the ceremony, Gbagbo declared the war over and said that
1850-590: The Ouagadougou agreement" be annulled, but the claims were disputed by the Ivorian Electoral Commission and international election observers. The Constitutional Council nullified the CEI's declaration based on alleged voting fraud, and excluded votes from nine northern areas. The Constitutional Council concluded that without these votes Gbagbo won with 51% of the remaining vote. The constitutional restriction on Presidents serving more than ten years
1924-650: The RDR. A mass grave of 57 bodies was found in Yopougon , Abidjan, in November 2000, containing the corpses of RDR supporters killed by FPI-aligned militias. The RDR launched an electoral boycott of the December 2000 elections to the parliament. The following month, an attempted coup d'etat against Gbagbo occurred. The government then intensified a crackdown on northerners and those thought to be Alassane Ouattara supporters; many were jailed or killed. On 19 September 2002
1998-641: The Sahel'. During 2016, the capital was in the grip of a terrorist attack. Jihadists who had suites and tables in town, following agreements with Campaoré of non-aggression. As a result, the military group of the presidential guard received enormous credits while the army was impoverished to avoid any military coup. He served on the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) International Advisory Board. In an interview with
2072-632: The UN. Gbagbo is mainly supported by the largely Christian south; his opponents are mostly concentrated in the Muslim north. When Nigeria demanded Gbagbo step down and the EU began imposing sanctions and freezing assets, Gbagbo demanded that UN peacekeepers and French troops leave the country. Leaders of the Forces Nouvelles (former rebels) asserted that Gbagbo was not the head of state and could not make such
2146-441: The charges against Gbagbo and one of his former ministers, Charles Blé Goudé , determining that the evidence presented was insufficient to prove that the pair committed crimes against humanity. Prosecutors appealed the decision, and Gbagbo was prohibited from returning to Côte d'Ivoire pending the appeal proceedings. The ICC ultimately upheld Gbagbo's acquittal, and in April 2021, Ouattara stated he and Blé Goudé were free to return to
2220-399: The constitutional council ruled that because Compaoré was a sitting president in 2000, the amendment would not apply until the end of his second term in office, thereby allowing him to present his candidacy for the 2005 election. On 13 November 2005, Compaoré was re-elected as president, defeating 12 opponents and winning 80.35 percent of the vote. Although sixteen opposition parties announced
2294-526: The countries of the world, but I will never give up our sovereignty." On 4 December 2010, one day after military leadership pledged their continuing loyalty to him, Gbagbo again took the oath of office in a ceremony broadcast on state television. Gbagbo's claim to continue in office was not accepted internationally, and rejected by the France, the U.S., the United Nations, the African Union, and
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2368-484: The country should move quickly to elections, which were then planned for early 2008. On 30 August 2008, Gbagbo was designated the FPI's candidate for the November 2008 presidential election at a party congress; he was the only candidate for the FPI nomination. The presidential election was again postponed to 2010. In 2010, Côte d'Ivoire had a presidential election. Gbagbo, whose mandate had expired in 2005, had delayed
2442-564: The country since the Ivorian crisis, 11,000 Ivorians fled the post-election crisis to seek asylum in neighboring Ghana. On 10 March 2024, Gbagbo said that he would run again for president as leader of the PPA-CI in elections to be held in October 2025. Gagnoa B%C3%A9t%C3%A9 The Bété languages are a language cluster of Kru languages spoken in central-western Ivory Coast . There are many dialects but they can be grouped as follows: This article about Atlantic–Congo languages
2516-499: The country. Laurent Gbagbo was born on 31 May 1945 to a Roman Catholic family of the Bété people in Gagnoa in the then French West Africa . He became a history professor and an opponent of the regime of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny . He was imprisoned from 31 March 1971 to January 1973. In 1979, he obtained his doctorate at Paris Diderot University . In 1980, he became Director of
2590-445: The court cheering the plotters for their actions. In August 2005, he announced his intention to contest the next presidential election. Opposition politicians regarded this as unconstitutional due to a constitutional amendment in 2000 limiting a president to two terms and reducing term lengths from seven to five years. Compaoré's supporters disputed this, saying that the amendment could not be applied retroactively, and in October 2005,
2664-611: The current president Ouattara. In October 2021, Gbagbo launched a new political party called the African People's Party – Cote d'Ivoire (PPA-CI). In December 2021, he spent four days in Ghana . According to a statement from his party, he went there to attend the funeral of Captain Kojo Tsikata , a man close to the former president of Ghana Jerry Rawlings . Laurent Gbagbo also visited the Ivorian exiles, whose return he wanted to
2738-400: The election several times. In the first round, Gbagbo faced 14 challengers; the two main ones were Henri Konan Bédié , who had been deposed in a coup eleven years earlier, and Alassane Ouattara , a former prime minister and IMF official. In the first round, no candidate secured a majority of more than 50%, triggering a runoff between the top two vote-getters: Gbagbo (who had received 38% of
2812-460: The end of the 1974 Agacher Strip border clashes between Upper Volta and Mali , Compaoré was posted north of Ouahigouya . There he met Thomas Sankara, with whom he developed a close friendship. Compaoré played a major role in the coups d'état against Saye Zerbo and Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo . He has been married to Chantal Compaoré (née Chantal Terrasson de Fougères) since 1985. Under Sankara's leadership, which lasted from 1983 to 1987, Compaoré
2886-483: The government , summarily tried and executed. In October 1987, Compaoré and many others formed a new political party called the Popular Front , centered around communist , as well as Marxist–Leninist ideals. He pledged to continue pursuing the goals of the revolution, but rectify policies which he saw as deviations of its ultimate goal carried out by Thomas Sankara . In September of 1989 , while Compaoré
2960-482: The hostages were taken to the presidential palace and were given phones. The hostages thanked him for paying the ransom. President Compaoré announced an establishment of a new Senate with 89 members and with 29 of the senators who would be selected by the president themselves while the rest chosen by local politicians. On 14 April 2011, Compaoré was reported to have fled from the capital Ouagadougou to his hometown of Ziniare after mutineering military bodyguards began
3034-539: The killing of Sankara as an 'accident', but the circumstances have never been properly investigated. Upon taking the presidency, he reverted many of the policies of Sankara, claiming that his policy was a 'rectification' of the Burkinabé revolution. He initially ruled in a triumvirate with Henri Zongo and Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lingani : in September 1989 those two were arrested, charged with plotting to overthrow
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3108-547: The magazine Famille Chrétienne , Compaoré asserted that the notion of sexual abstinence was not a monopoly of the Roman Catholic Church and that European non-governmental organizations that disagreed with traditional morality were profiting from the situation to intervene in regional African affairs. In April 2021, a military court in Burkina Faso indicted Compaoré in absentia , charging him with
3182-531: The mass atrocities was said by analysts to significantly impair the credibility of the ICC as a court of last resort. The ICC (International Criminal Court) panel ordered Gbagbo's immediate release, but the ICC Appeals Chamber ordered that Gbagbo remain in custody pending consideration of ICC prosecutors' appeal against Gbagbo's acquittal. On 1 February 2019, he was released after ICC Appeals Chamber granted Gbagbo conditional release from detention; he
3256-465: The northern part of the country. In March 2003, a new cross-party agreement was made for the formation of a new government led by a consensus figure, Seydou Diarra , and including nine ministers from the rebels, and one year later, UN peacekeeping forces arrived in the country. In March 2004, however, an anti-Gbagbo rally took place in Abidjan; government soldiers responded by killing some 120 people. A subsequent UN report concluded that Ivorian government
3330-406: The only significant opposition candidate. Guéï claimed victory in the election, held on 22 October 2000. However, after it emerged that Gbagbo had actually won by a significant margin, street protests forced Guéï to flee the capital. Gbagbo installed himself as president on 26 October. Following the contested election of 2000, there were violent clashes between supporters of the FPI and supporters of
3404-427: The opposition to resolve the crisis. Later in the day, the military, under General Honore Traore, announced that it would install a transitional government 'in consultation with all parties' and that the National Assembly was dissolved; he foresaw 'a return to the constitutional order' within a year. He did not make clear what role, if any, he envisioned for Compaoré during the transitional period. Compaoré said that he
3478-580: The opposition, and re-elected in 1998 , 2005 and 2010 . On 4 August 1983, Compaoré organized a coup d'état, which deposed Major Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo. The coup d'état was supported by Libya , which was, at the time, on the verge of war with France in Chad. Other key participants were Captain Henri Zongo , Major Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lingani and the charismatic Captain Thomas Sankara, who
3552-508: The orders of Gbagbo's predecessor, Félix Houphouët-Boigny , and subsequently walled up by Gbagbo. Gbagbo was held in the Golf Hotel in Abidjan by Ouattara's forces, and requested protection from UN peacekeepers. Speaking from the hotel, Gbagbo told the regular armies to stop fighting. U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed news of the developments and CNN quoted U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as saying that Gbagbo's capture "sends
3626-489: The presidential residence. French special forces assisted forces loyal to Ouattara, the internationally recognized president, in their advance upon the compound. Gbagbo was captured in the bunker below the compound and placed under arrest by the Ouattara forces. Gbagbo's lawyer stated that the government forces were able to storm the residence after French troops blasted a wall, opening up a "getaway" tunnel that had been dug on
3700-432: The presidential succession crisis. According to Ouattara, his forces established a security perimeter at the residence, where Gbagbo had sought refuge in a subterranean level, and were waiting for him to run out of food and water. The UN had insisted that he be arrested, judged and tried for crimes against humanity during his term and since the election of Ouattara. On 10 April 2011, UN and French helicopters fired rockets at
3774-542: The race with 54% of the vote, a tally that the United Nations concluded was credible; however, the Constitutional Council , a body dominated by pro-Gbagbo members, annulled the results in Ouattara's electoral strongholds in the north, claiming fraud, and declared Gbagbo the winner with 51% of the vote. In December 2010, both Gbagbo and Ouattara assumed the presidency, triggering a short period of civil conflict in which about 3,000 people were killed. Gbagbo
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#17327732228613848-461: The rebels held their guns and were prepared to advance again, however, the resolution provided for the strengthening of Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny 's powers. Gbagbo said the next day that elements of the resolution deemed to be constitutional violations would not be applied. A peace deal between the government and the rebels, or New Forces , was signed on 4 March 2007, in Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso, and subsequently Guillaume Soro , leader of
3922-454: The regional bloc ECOWAS , all of which recognized Ouattara as the duly elected president and called for Gbagbo to respect the will of the people. Gbagbo responded by launching ethnic attacks on northerners living in Abidjan with his army made up partly of Liberian mercenaries, and rumours (unconfirmed because of restrictions on the movement of peacekeeping forces) of pro-Gbagbo death squads and mass graves have been reported to representatives of
3996-593: The streets, toppling Guéï. Gbagbo was then installed as president. In the 2010 presidential election , Alassane Ouattara defeated Gbagbo, and was recognized as the winner by election observers, the international community, the African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States . However, Gbagbo refused to step down, despite mounting international pressure. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that Ouattara had won
4070-474: The testimony of 82 witnesses and thousands of pieces of evidence. Gbagbo filed a " no case to answer " motion in July 2018, and hearings were held in November 2018. On 15 January 2019 Gbagbo and Goudé were acquitted by an ICC panel and their release was ordered. Presiding Judge Cuno Tarfusser and Judge Geoffrey Henderson ruled in favor of release; Judge Olga Carbuccia issued a dissenting opinion . Many within
4144-488: The vote in the first round) and Ouattara (who received 32% of the vote in the first round). On 28 November 2010, the second round of the presidential election was held. Four days later the Independent Election Commission (CEI) declared Ouattara the winner with 54.1% of the vote. Gbagbo's party complained of fraud and ordered that votes from nine regions occupied by the ex-rebels "became FN after
4218-675: Was 15, followed by the death of his father several years later. Compaoré subsequently became very close to the family of Thomas Sankara , whose father Joseph treated him as his own son. After being expelled from the Lycée, Compaoré underwent basic military training. During his service he decided to pursue a military career, continuing his studies at the Yaoundé Military Academy in Cameroon. There he became acquainted with Henri Zongo and labor union leader Soumane Touré. Following
4292-502: Was President of the FPI Parliamentary Group from 1990 to 1995. In 1992 he was sentenced to two years in prison and charged with inciting violence, but was released later in the year. The FPI boycotted the 1995 presidential election . In 1996 Gbagbo was re-elected to his seat in the National Assembly from Ouragahio, following a delay in the holding of the election there, and in the same year he was elected as President of
4366-502: Was allowed to live in Belgium, but had to be available to return to court, and could not leave Belgium. Gbagbo's lawyers then petitioned the ICC for Gbagbo's unconditional release. On 28 May 2020, the International Criminal Court gave Gbagbo permission to leave Belgium if certain conditions were met. At the time, it was unclear if he would be allowed to return to Côte d'Ivoire. On 30 October 2020, Gbagbo said
4440-532: Was arrested in Korhogo , where he had been placed under house arrest, and was placed on a flight to The Hague on 29 November 2011. An adviser to Gbagbo described the arrest as "victors' justice". Conversely, human rights groups hailed Gbagbo's arrest while also stating that pro-Ouattara forces that committed crimes should also be held accountable. In 2012, Gbagbo's former budget minister Justin Kone Katinan,
4514-418: Was arrested in 2011 by pro-Ouattara forces, who were supported by French troops . Gbagbo was extradited to The Hague in November 2011, where he was charged with four counts of crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the post-election violence. Gbagbo was the first former head of state to be taken into the court's custody. In January 2019, an ICC panel dismissed
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#17327732228614588-435: Was deliberate and responded by destroying most Ivorian military aircraft . With the late October deadline approaching in 2006, it was regarded as very unlikely that the election would in fact be held by that point, and the opposition and the rebels rejected the possibility of another term extension for Gbagbo. The UN Security Council endorsed another one-year extension of Gbagbo's term on 1 November 2006; to not forget, many of
4662-505: Was either 85 or 90 years old (depending on the source), was not likely to survive a seventh five-year term. This failed to resonate with voters, and Gbagbo officially received 18.3% of the vote against Houphouët-Boigny. In the November 1990 parliamentary election , Gbagbo won a seat in the National Assembly , along with eight other members of the FPI. Gbagbo was elected to a seat from Ouragahio District in Gagnoa Department and
4736-486: Was elected as the party's Secretary-General. Gbagbo said in July 2008 that he had received crucial support from Blaise Compaoré , formerly the President of Burkina Faso , while he was part of the underground opposition to Houphouët-Boigny. Following the introduction of multiparty politics in 1990, Gbagbo challenged Houphouët-Boigny in the October 1990 presidential election . Gbagbo contended that Houphouët-Boigny, who
4810-549: Was his deputy and was a member of the National Revolutionary Council. He served as Minister of State at the Presidency and subsequently as Minister of State for Justice. Compaoré was involved in the 1983 and 1987 coups , taking power after the second in which his predecessor Sankara was killed. He was elected as the president of Burkina Faso in 1991 , in an election that was boycotted by
4884-458: Was not addressed. With a significant portion of the country's vote nullified, especially in areas where Ouattara polled well, tensions mounted in the country. Gbagbo ordered the army to close the borders and foreign news organizations were banned from broadcasting from within the country. United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the government to "act responsibly and peacefully." Gbagbo declared that "I will continue to work with all
4958-409: Was prepared to leave office at the end of the transition. On 31 October, Compaoré announced he had left the presidency and that there was a 'power vacuum'. He also called for a 'free and transparent' election within 90 days. Presidential guard officer Yacouba Isaac Zida then took over as head of state in an interim capacity. It was reported that a heavily-armed convoy believed to be carrying Compaoré
5032-482: Was pronounced President. During the Agacher Strip War with Mali in December 1985, Compaoré commanded Burkinabé soldiers who split into small groups and employed guerrilla tactics against Malian tanks. Compaoré took power on 15 October 1987 in a coup during which Sankara was killed. Deteriorating relations with France and the neighboring Ivory Coast was the reason given for the coup. Compaoré described
5106-627: Was re-elected as president. Between 1998 and 1999, an insurgency took place over reasons with economic violations in Burkina Faso. Many protests, riots, strikes, rallies and marches took place throughout the country and shocked many people. Many protesters even destroyed government properties or houses. Those events at the time were one of the greatest challenges that Compaoré and his administration faced. Compaoré agreed to meet with United Nations supervised bodies to export weapons after allegations that he and his government has been involved in smuggling arms to rebels in Sierra Leone and Angola . Just
5180-563: Was reported by the BBC to be coming from the building. Opposition spokesman Pargui Emile Paré of the People's Movement for Socialism / Federal Party described the protests as 'Burkina Faso's black spring (sic), like the Arab spring (sic)'. Compaoré reacted to the events by shelving the proposed constitutional changes, dissolving the government, declaring a state of emergency and offering to work with
5254-471: Was responsible for the massacre. The peace agreement effectively collapsed in early November 2004 following elections that critics claimed were undemocratic and the rebels' subsequent refusal to disarm. During an airstrike in Bouaké on 6 November 2004, nine French soldiers were killed. While the Ivorian government has claimed the attack on the French soldiers was accidental, French governmental sources claimed it
5328-405: Was returning from a two-week trip to Asia , there were rumors of people plotting to overthrow Compaoré’s government. The plotters would be arrested that same day. This event would lead Compaoré to reorganize the young nation's government. In 1990 Compaoré introduced only limited democratic reforms. In June 1991, Compaoré announced that Burkina Faso was going to adopt a new constitution . In
5402-472: Was then postponed indefinitely, citing concerns over Gbagbo's health. Gbagbo's trial at the ICC began on 28 January 2016, where he denied all charges against him; crimes against humanity including murder, rape and persecution , as did his co-accused Charles Blé Goudé . Due to presenting a flight risk and maintaining a network of supporters, judges ordered him to remain in detention during his trial. From January 2016 to January 2018, ICC prosecutors presented
5476-596: Was traveling towards the southern town of Pô . However, it diverted before reaching the town and he then fled to Ivory Coast with the support of President Alassane Ouattara . A week later, Jeune Afrique published an interview with Compaoré in which he alleged that 'part of the opposition was working with the army' to plot his overthrow and that 'history will tell us if they were right'. He added that he would 'not wish for his worst enemy' to be in Zida's place. The first head of state that has been in office for more than
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