Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Mali, expressing “deep dismay” over the violence that left significant human and material losses. In a statement issued by his party, the African People’s Party – Ivory Coast, Gbagbo paid tribute to the victims, including Defence Minister Sadio Camara, describing the attacks as “cowardly and barbaric.” He also conveyed solidarity with the Malian people and transitional authorities, warning that such violence threatens to destabilize the entire sub-region.
Beyond condemnation, Gbagbo called for a “collective, coordinated and sovereign” African response to terrorism, arguing that current strategies remain insufficient. He renewed his proposal for the creation of an African Counter-Terrorism Force under continental command, equipped with adequate financial, logistical and operational resources. According to him, insecurity in the Sahel is a shared strategic concern, stressing that the destabilization of one country poses risks for all. The PPA-CI emphasized that African solidarity must go beyond rhetoric and translate into permanent, operational mechanisms for collective defense and security across the continent.
