Ivory Coast Pardons 800, Including Ex-First Lady Jailed for Role in Organizing Armed Gangs

The president of the Ivory Coast pardoned 800 people, including the country's former first lady, who was serving a 20-year sentence for "attempting to undermine the security of the state," organizing armed gangs and disturbing public order.

"On Monday I signed an amnesty order that will benefit about 800 citizens prosecuted or sentenced for offenses related to the post-election crisis of 2010, or state security offenses committed after May 21, 2011," President Alassane Ouattara said on Monday when announcing the amnesties. "This is an act of mercy from the whole nation towards her sons and daughters. I invite all those who benefit from this amnesty to ensure that our country never again has to go through events like those and never again sinks into violence."

Ouattara said the government had already released 500 of the pardoned individuals and would be freeing the other 300 shortly. He depicted the pardons as a measure to promote "peace and true reconciliation."

The BBC reported that "the amnesty is being seen by some analysts as an attempt by the president to bolster his legacy ahead of the end of his second and final term in 2020."

Street protests roiled the Ivory Coast after Ouattara was elected in 2010 and the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to step down. After four months of fighting that left over 3,000 people dead, forces backing Ouattara removed Gbagbo from the presidential bunker in April 2011.

At least 14,000 people fled the country in the post-election violence, and the Ivory Coast's conflict escalated to the point where other West African leaders said they would intervene militarily if Laurent Gbagbo refused to give up his position.

The former president is now on trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, where he faces charges for crimes against humanity. Prosecutors called 82 witnesses to testify against him, but the defense has not begun making its arguments.

Former first lady Simone Gbagbo was sentenced in 2015 for her role in the protests. She also stood trial for crimes against humanity and war crimes, but a jury acquitted her of these charges last year.

While she is now pardoned in the Ivory Coast, she is still wanted by the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant in 2012 for charges of murder and rape. The Ivory Coast's government has rejected calls to allow her to face prosecution outside the country.