OWN CORRESPONDENT, Lome | Monday 12.25pm
DEPOSED Cte d’Ivoire president Henri Konan Bedie left early on Monday for Paris from the Togo capital Lome, where he fled into exile last week, on board Togo’s presidential plane, witnesses said.
Bedie, who was ousted in a coup on December 24, was accompanied by members of his family and ex-ministers who had fled with him to Lome.
Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema saw them off after Bedie thanked him for “the affection you showed me” during his stay in Lome. “Africa is still alive through its traditional values,” Bedie said, while declining to discuss his future plans.
Bedie, his wife and other family members were flown here on December 26 aboard two French army helicopters. The following day other family members arrived, as well as Bedie’s prime minister Daniel Kablan Duncan and his defense and security ministers, Bandama N’Gatta and Marcel Dibonan Kone. — AFP