Ivory Coast's foreign minster welcomed Thursday the start of the trial of former president Laurent Gbagbo, accused of fomenting post-poll violence in his west African nation.
"This is a highly anticipated trial," Foreign Minister Albert Toikeusse Mabri told AFP, speaking in Ethiopia ahead of an African Union summit meeting.
"We had 10 years of difficulties. We work for national reconciliation, but all this must be founded on the basis of justice for all...the ICC have started a trial whose conclusions are eagerly awaited."
Gbagbo, 70, and 44-year-old former militia leader Charles Ble Goude have pleaded not guilty to four charges of crimes against humanity including murder, rape, and persecution.
Violence broke out when Gbagbo refused to stand down after losing elections in November 2010 to bitter longtime rival Alassane Ouattara.
"We expect that light be shed, that responsibilities are placed and that sentences are pronounced," Mabri said.