Ex-President Gbagbo back in Ivory Coast after acquittal

Former President Laurent Gbagbo returned home to Ivory Coast on Thursday, a decade after his refusal to concede defeat in a presidential election sparked months of violence that left more than 3,000 people dead.

Gbagbo was extradited to the International Criminal Court at The Hague in 2011 and spent eight years awaiting trial on war crimes charges. A judge acquitted him in 2019, saying prosecutors had failed to prove their case.

The verdict was appealed but upheld in late March, clearing the way for Gbagbo to leave Belgium, where he had spent the past two years.

After coming down the steps to the runway, Gbagbo soon made his way to a vehicle that was then surrounded by crowds as it headed toward the city.

Supporters gathered just a few blocks from Gbagbo’s house at Mama in the countryside on Saturday to celebrate the return of former president. Many expressed their happiness for his return by dancing and singing.

While the government led by his longtime rival President Alassane Ouattara has allowed Gbagbo’s return to Ivorian soil, there already have been concerns about what impact his presence will have on the nation’s political stability.

Former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo arrives at the international airport, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Thursday, June 17, 2021. After nearly a decade, Gbagbo returns to his country following his acquittal on war crimes charges was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Supporters celebrate the arrival of the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Thursday, June 17, 2021. After nearly a decade, Gbagbo returns to his country following his acquittal on war crimes charges was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Woman celebrate the return of the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo in Mama, Ivory Coast, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Town’ residents and people from other villages say that they will keep celebrating every day until Gbagbo arrives in his hometown. After nearly a decade, the ex-president returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges that was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

A woman poses for the picture as she takes part in a celebration for the return of the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo in Mama, Ivory Coast, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Town’ residents and people from other villages say that they will keep celebrating every day until Gbagbo arrives in his hometown. After nearly a decade, the ex-president returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges that was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

In a costume depicting the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo with a luggage, Djekou Charlotte takes part in a celebration in Mama, Ivory Coast, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Town’ residents and people from other villages say that they will keep celebrating every day until Gbagbo arrives in his hometown. After nearly a decade, the ex-president returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges that was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

A woman dances as she takes part in a celebration for the return of the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo in Mama, Ivory Coast, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Town’ residents and people from other villages say that they will keep celebrating every day until Gbagbo arrives in his hometown. After nearly a decade, the ex-president returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges that was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

People dance as they take part in a celebration for the return of the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo in Mama, Ivory Coast, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Town’ residents and people from other villages say that they will keep celebrating every day until Gbagbo arrives in his hometown. After nearly a decade, the ex-president returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges that was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

A woman prepares traditional food known as alloco, fried bananas, to sell on the street during a celebration for the return of the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo in Mama, Ivory Coast, Saturday, June 19, 2021. The town's residents and people from other villages say that they will keep celebrating every day until Gbagbo arrives in his hometown. After nearly a decade, the ex-president returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges that was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

A woman holds a picture with an image depicting the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo during a celebration for his return in Mama, Ivory Coast, Saturday, June 19, 2021. The town's residents and people from other villages say that they will keep celebrating every day until Gbagbo arrives in his hometown. After nearly a decade, the ex-president returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges that was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

People take part in a celebration for the return of the former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo in Mama, Ivory Coast, Saturday, June 19, 2021. The town's residents and people from other villages say that they will keep celebrating every day until Gbagbo arrives in his hometown. After nearly a decade, the ex-president returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges that was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier this year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Supporters celebrate the arrival of the former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Thursday, June 17, 2021. After nearly a decade, Gbagbo returned to his country after his acquittal on war crimes charges was upheld at the International Criminal Court earlier in the year. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)