Ivory Cost: Laurent Gbagbo reopens the French high school in Abidjan

The symbol is strong and words expressed President Gbagbo’s will to improve the Franco-Ivorian relations severely affected during the few last years. Mr. Gbagbo has seized the opportunity of the reopening ceremony of Jacques Prévert High school to outstretch his hand to France in the way that there would no longer happen in the future a «break» between Paris and Abidjan. «If I am fussy now about the future it is because I do not want a break of the dike», said the Ivorian president.
To recall in 2004, the crisis between the two countries had reached an alarming level with the fire of some French schools located in the Ivorian capital. In fact, the «young patriots», a movement close to Laurent Gbagbo, have particularly attacked Jean Mermoz private college, Jacques Prévert and Blaise Pascal high schools.
France was represented at the ceremony by its ambassador in Abidjan Jean-Marc Simon.

With AFP