From the day he pronounced himself President, General Robert Gueï has insisted he has no political ambitions and will withdraw from government as soon as free elections can be organised. Yet he has refused to rule himself out as a candidate and has postponed the announcement of the election date. Suspicions that Gueï plans to stay in power have been fuelled by his move from the defence headquarters at Camp Galliéni to the palace formerly occupied by the President, Henri Konan Bédié, and by his appointment of 23 presidential advisors and staff. When asked about his future role, he replies cryptically that, like Charles de Gaulle, he will be a general until he dies.
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