Guillaume Soro, former Prime Minister and former President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire has issued a strong statement condemning the criminal charges brought against his advisor, Professor Franklin Nyamsi. The statement, released on September 11, 2024, addresses the upcoming trial scheduled for November 28, 2024, in Rouen, France, where Nyamsi is accused of embezzlement and breach of trust related to his role with the Crush Party Association.

In his declaration, Soro firmly rejects these allegations, labeling them as entirely baseless and fabricated. He emphasizes the following points:

1. Association's Purpose and Management: The Crush Party Association, established in 2019 on Soro’s instructions, was created to foster civic engagement and solidarity among supporters of African public freedoms. Soro asserts that the association has operated transparently and that all fundraising activities were conducted with integrity.
2. Financial Management: Soro confirms that all donations and funds raised by the association were handled meticulously by Professor Nyamsi, who was given a clean financial record. Soro clarifies that no funds were misappropriated and that Nyamsi has accounted for all financial transactions.
3. No Membership Fees: The association's funds mainly came from donations via GoFundMe, and no membership fees were collected, as the membership system was not activated.
4. Political Persecution: Soro accuses the prosecution in Rouen of being politically motivated and part of a broader pattern of harassment against African activists. He highlights that there have been no formal complaints from association members or any dissatisfaction from the association’s founder. Soro draws a parallel with his own experience of being forced to leave France in 2020 due to his political stance.
5. Support for Nyamsi: Soro reiterates his unwavering support for Nyamsi, stating that the legal action against him is arbitrary and unjust. He reaffirms his full confidence in Nyamsi’s management of the Crush Party Association and denounces the charges as a form of political repression.

Soro’s statement reflects his commitment to defending his advisor and challenging what he perceives as politically motivated attacks against African advocates for change.

Date:September 11, 2024
Source: Guillaume Soro’s official Facebook account