ABIDJAN: Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has announced his intention to enhance Ivory Coast's diplomatic relations with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) if he assumes office again in 2025. Gbagbo, who led the country from 2000 to 2011, emphasized the importance of recognizing and collaborating with AES member states, regardless of how their leaders came to power. According to Burkina Information Agency, Gbagbo addressed the issue of selective diplomacy, questioning why some leaders, such as the Gabonese president, are welcomed while others from countries like Faso, Mali, or Niger are not. He advocated for accepting AES countries and their leadership as they are, without prejudice against the means through which power was acquired. Gbagbo criticized what he perceives as double standards by European leaders who label certain AES heads of state as putschists while seemingly overlooking similar situations in Chad and Gabon. He expressed confusion over the inconsistency in defining and reacting to coup s d'état, suggesting that either all coups should be condemned or none. The former president also raised the issue of constitutional violations, labeling instances of leaders extending their terms beyond the constitutional limit as civilian coups. He urged both African and European leaders to adopt consistent stances on these matters to avoid hypocrisy and maintain international credibility.