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Ivory Coast conflict victim Chelsea footballer Drogba vows to foster world peace

London , Sun, 25 Sep 2011 ANI

London, Sept 25(ANI): Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba, who had lost his family members in Ivory Coast civil war, has vowed to foster world peace and involve himself in the post-conflict resolution.

 

Drogba would join his country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which aims to bring together both perpetrators and victims of a five-month conflict, the Telegraph reports.

 

The 11-member commission comprising religious and regional leaders would be launched in the capital, Yamoussoukro on September 28.

 

Over 3,000 people were killed in Ivory Coast civil conflict when former President Laurent Gbagbo's supporters clashed with his opponent Alassane Ouattara over the election victory.

 

"I lost several aunts and uncles. It was really frightening. My father's village was attacked, and several houses were burned. I don't think it was because of me, but it's just that it was in a contested area. We lived in the same region that Gbagbo came from, and so it was intense between his supporters and President Ouattara's," he said.

 

"It was very difficult to think of them going through that and I wasn't well at the time. I talked a lot to my Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou, because he's from the Ivory Coast too. But everyone was suffering - it wasn't just me," he added.

 

Although Drogba left the country at the age of five years, his father continues to live there, and he was in constant contact with his relatives throughout the conflict.

 

Drogba is taking his role as diaspora representative very seriously.

 

"I believe in this, I really do. Otherwise I'd just be sitting at home with my wife and children. When I was asked to take part, I didn't think twice. It's a big responsibility, it's difficult, and I have a lot to read up on. My family was nervous about me getting involved. But I couldn't say no," he said.

 

Though the Ivory Coast conflict ended on April 11, leading the arrest of Gbagbo and Ouattara's takeover as President, violence continues to thrive in the country.

 

Recent attacks on the border with Liberia had killed 23 people. (ANI)

 


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