News story

Foreign Secretary on arrest of Former President Gbagbo

Foreign Secretary William Hague said any judicial process that follows should be fair and properly organised.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon William Hague
• Published: 11 April 2011

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Speaking in London, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“Former President Gbagbo has acted against any democratic principles in the way he has behaved in recent months and of course there have been many breaches of rule of law as well. At the same time we would say that he must be treated with respect and any judicial process that follows should be fair and properly organised.

“Above all we all hope that this is now an opportunity for the people of Cote d’Ivoire who have been through so much in recent months to find a democratic way forward, a more peaceful way forward, for reconciliation to take place in that country.”

Published 11 April 2011