« Today I am a mature man », Declares Ivorian Charles Blé Goudé, who was Laurent Gbagbo's Minister of Youth. Two years ago, after his acquittal by the International Criminal Court, this opposition leader returned to Ivory Coast and founded a new movement, the Pan-African Congress for Justice and Equality of Peoples (Cojep) . But for him, the road to the presidential election in October 2025 is still strewn with pitfalls. Passing through Paris, the former “ general of the street » from Côte d'Ivoire answers questions from Christophe Boisbouvier and launches an appeal to President Alassane Ouattara.
RFI: You often say that next year's presidential election will not be held without your party. Will you be a candidate?
Charles Blé Goudé: My ambition to lead Ivory Coast one day is no longer a secret. Everyone knows it in Ivory Coast and I am working on that. I have a project for the Ivorians and my party decided during its congress that the elections will not take place without this project. Now, we have to go to a convention, which convention will designate the one who will wear the colors of the project. I wish it was me and I'm ready for it.
So, you returned to Ivory Coast two years ago, but you remain ineligible because you are still under sentence by the Ivorian justice system. Doesn’t that stand in the way of your immediate political future?
It was not me who dictated the rule of criminal law which stipulates that we cannot prosecute, nor punish, nor condemn someone who has already been tried for the same facts. Is it not true that the government of my country brought me before the International Criminal Court so that my responsibility can be located in the post-electoral crisis which left my country in mourning? I was acquitted for these facts and therefore cannot be condemned for these same facts, to prevent me from participating in political life in my country. I denounce this, not only because I find it to be political manipulation, but at the same time, I appeal to the President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, so that he can calm the situation, so that we can turn this painful page and pass an amnesty law to open up the democratic process. Ensuring that those who think they are ready to be in the competition, to lead their country, including myself, can be allowed to be candidates.
So, if you are not pardoned, if you remain ineligible, what are you going to do? Are you going to mobilize the streets as you did at the time when you were “the general of youth” under the presidency of Laurent Gbagbo?
It’s an era that is behind me. My country has suffered too much for me to be able to ignite it for a candidacy. Ten days before the elections in Senegal, Ousmane Sonko was a prisoner, Diomaye Faye was a prisoner. Ten days later, one found himself at the presidential palace, the other at the prime minister's office. Everything is dynamic in politics. I have hope that this will all change and this will all be behind us. I'm not in a hurry, but I'm determined.
Has the general fiery youth of the 2000s changed? Have you calmed down?
Today, I advocate forgiveness. I am going towards those with whom I had fallen out, because I think that, while respecting our differences, we can lead this country. We must calm the situation in Côte d'Ivoire and we must reassure the Ivorians. Yes, the general of the street is today a mature man who wants to lead Côte d'Ivoire, who rather wants to be judged on the political project he carries for the people of Côte d'Ivoire and not only about his too-young past.
You have become a “mature man”, as you say, is this talk of moderation perhaps also because you do not want to antagonize the Ivorian authorities at a time when you are hoping for a political gesture from them? so you can introduce yourself?
No not at all. I am not in a strategy to cajole the authorities of my country. No, I rather want to reassure the people of Côte d'Ivoire, who are the only judge.
Yes, but if you want to be amnestied, it's better not to undermine power…
But that is not what guides my approach because I think of the people of Côte d'Ivoire and all the actors should do like me.
For a long time, you were the political companion of President Gbagbo, then the detention companion of the prisoner Gbagbo. But today you seem confused. Laurent Gbagbo even scratched your nerves a few months ago by saying that, during your years in prison in The Hague, you did not have the importance at his side that you claimed to have. It's still hurtful, isn't it?
Yes, but it's not a big deal. I am African. A father can slap even his son in the face and even in the middle of the village. That's a dad's right. But I'll tell you, I have a history with my generation and I don't intend to be counted among the dolphins at all. I want to build my own story like the river makes its own bed.
On the RHDP side, who do you see as a candidate?
They said they want their candidate to be the current president, President Alassane Ouattara. He hasn't said yes yet. He hasn't said no yet.
What is your hunch? Will it be or will it not?
[Rire] I don't know. I don't even think his supporters know it.
In your opinion, do you have a greater chance of being amnestied if Alassane Ouattara is a candidate or if he is not?
The situation I am experiencing should not be conditioned by the candidacy of President Ouattara or not. It's a question of law. I was tried and acquitted for facts relating to the post-election crisis in my country. It is not normal that I can be prevented from participating in the presidential election because we risk depriving Côte d'Ivoire of someone who also has ideas. What do others have more than me or what have I done more than others?
Or worse?
Or worse than the others? I supported a candidate, that earned me everything you know up to the International Criminal Court. I was acquitted. Laurent Gbagbo is pardoned, his ex-wife is amnestied, his general, who was commander of the Republican Guard, is pardoned. I don't. It’s an injustice that I’m experiencing.
