In a rare moment of sincerity, Marcel Amon-Tanoh, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and current Special Advisor to President Alassane Ouattara, publicly addressed a controversial episode from his political career.

Speaking as a guest on a private Ivorian television channel, the former top diplomat expressed regret over remarks he made during an event at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium—comments that, at the time, appeared to signal a break with the Head of State.

“I went too far. I regret it, because that’s not in my nature,” he declared humbly, acknowledging his mistakes in an emotionally charged atmosphere.

“It was truly an exception that proves the rule. I should have maintained contact with President Alassane Ouattara and expressed my grievances directly to him at the time.”

This appearance marks a turning point in the relationship between the two men. Amon-Tanoh recalled that he resigned from the government in March 2020 but never left the RHDP, the ruling party. According to him, this means there was no ideological rupture—only a misunderstanding.

“It’s important to distinguish between the government and the RHDP. […] I’m not trying to shift the blame to lessen my responsibility, quite the opposite. Dirty laundry should be washed within the family.”

And that’s precisely what happened. He explained that a meeting with President Ouattara in July 2021 helped re-establish communication.

“We had a long conversation, and we understood each other,” he said.

This reconciliation seems to have put an end to the rift marked by public statements he now considers regrettable.

“I should never have acted the way I did that day at FHB Stadium. Never. It won’t happen again.”

Amon-Tanoh also expressed gratitude to the President for reopening the doors of dialogue. Going forward, he said, he intends to favor direct conversations.

“From now on, anytime I have something to say or do, I will go directly to him, as I’ve always done.”

He concluded with a cryptic hint:

“The harshness of my words at FHB Stadium was hiding something else…”—though he did not elaborate further.