Accra, Ghana - Ghana's former President Jerry John Rawlings has condemned the 'hasty procedure' that led to the transfer of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo to the Hague to be tried by the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying this could be described as an 'abduction”. “I have learnt with dismay reports that deposed President Gbagbo of Cote d’Ivoire has been transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday, November 29th, following a speedy indictment, in total violation of relevant international code of procedures and in total disregard for the demands of peace in Cote d’Ivoire,” Rawlings said in a statement in Accra.

“This eagerness to indict and transfer Gbagbo, who did not run in the face of the bombing of his palace like a common criminal, defies logic and the quest for true reconciliation and sustainable peace in Cote d’Ivoire,” he added.

Rawlings said his suspicion grew even more when the prosecuting attorney, claiming to be targeting six officials in Cote d’Ivoire, “unduly focuses on Gbagbo, the one who is least likely to escape due to being already in custody”.

He said after 50 years of independence, Africa should have all the know-how to bring justice to its own citizens and do away with imported justice.

“What kind of prosecution would rather be in haste to bring to justice the victim of an attack, and be lenient on the perpetrator of the attack?' he asked.

Rawlings said: “No one is trying to evade justice. But when such justice is drenched in a sea of humiliation and abuses, so as to be governed by self-righteous hatred with its untenable logic, it only befits human conscience to stand up against it for the good of all. 

“We will not be silent about this because we must not be silent about it as participating members in this human drama.”

Gbagbo was flown to the Hague unexpectedly last week where he is facing crime against humanity charges.

He refused to accept UN-certified results of a presidential election last year that declared his bitter rival, Alassane Ouattara, winner. This led to a bloody war that left 3,000 dead.

The crisis ended only after Gbagbo was captured, following the intervention of French forces in Cote d'Ivoire.

Pana 06/12/2011