Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast – (African Boulevard News) – The Ivorian Defence Minister has been secretly meeting with members of the inner circle of Guillaume Soro, the opposition leader. This move is believed to be a ploy to further isolate Soro from his supporters.
According to sources, the meetings have been taking place in Paris, where several members of Soro’s political entourage are based. The discussions have been kept under wraps to avoid any public backlash, and it is unclear what has been agreed upon in these talks.
This development comes after months of political tension between the government of President Alassane Ouattara and the opposition bloc led by Soro. The former rebel leader and former prime minister was barred from running for president in last year’s election due to a 20-year jail sentence in absentia for embezzlement.
This move has been perceived by Soro and his supporters as a politically motivated attempt to sideline him from politics. In response, Soro has called for a civil disobedience campaign to resist what he calls a dictatorship.
The meetings with Soro’s entourage could be a sign that President Ouattara’s government is looking to negotiate with the opposition to ease political tensions. However, it is too early to tell what the outcome of these talks will be.
In an interview with AfricanBoulevard.com, political analyst Marie-Claire Ouffoué said, “These secret talks could be a step towards finding a peaceful resolution to the political conflict in Ivory Coast. However, it is important that these discussions are transparent, and the outcome should benefit all Ivorians.”
Meanwhile, supporters of Soro have expressed concern about the government’s move to isolate him. “We are worried that the government is trying to weaken Soro’s political base to make him irrelevant in the political discourse of Ivory Coast,” said a member of Soro’s political entourage.
In conclusion, these secret talks between the Ivorian Defence Minister and Soro’s entourage indicate that there may be a willingness to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the political conflict in Ivory Coast. However, it is important that the outcome of these discussions benefits all Ivorians and that they are transparent.
