Robert Bourgi, emblematic figure of Françafrique, has just lifted the veil behind the scenes of this troubled 2010-2011 post-electoral period in Ivory Coast.
In an interview with France 24, the former unofficial advisor to the Élysée for Africa made explosive revelations about the 2010 Ivorian presidential election.
According to him, Laurent Gbagbo was the real winner of the vote, contrary to what was officially recognized by the international community.
This declaration calls into question the legitimacy of Alassane Ouattara’s accession to power and sheds harsh light on the diplomatic maneuvers of the time.
Bourgi, visibly moved, confessed to having been “accomplice of treason » towards the Ivorian people.
He painted a vivid picture of behind-the-scenes dealings, involving the highest echelons of French power.
The lawyer notably revealed a negotiation attempt orchestrated by Nicolas Sarkozy, then French president, aimed at convincing Gbagbo to give up power in exchange for substantial advantages.
This proposal, which included the status of former head of state, a comfortable pension and even a university chair, was categorically rejected by Gbagbo, who reportedly responded with defiance: “ You will tell Sarkozy that I will be his Mugabe. »
French military intervention in Ivory Coast
Faced with Gbagbo’s intransigence, Sarkozy’s reaction would have been unequivocal.
According to Bourgi, the French president threatened to “ vitrifier » his Ivorian counterpart, an expression loaded with meaning which foreshadowed the military intervention to come.
This revelation sheds new light on the motivations and methods used by France to influence the course of events in Côte d’Ivoire.
The French military intervention that followed, officially justified by the need to protect civilians and restore democracy, now appears in a more ambiguous light.
If Bourgi’s remarks are true, this operation could be perceived as interference aimed at installing a leader more favorable to French interests, in defiance of the popular will expressed at the ballot box.
As Côte d’Ivoire strives today to turn the page on this dark period, Robert Bourgi’s words resonate as a painful reminder of the challenges that persist.
They call for a critical reassessment of the country’s recent history and an inclusive national dialogue to heal the wounds of the past.
For many Ivorians, these revelations could reignite latent tensions, but they also offer an opportunity for truth and reconciliation, essential to building a more just and democratic future.
