3 former French ministers to appear in court over Bouaké Bombing

Investigations into the 2004 bombing of French forces in Bouaké, Ivory Coast by Ivorian air force may likely come to end as three former French ministers appear in court.

Investigating judge, Sabine Kheis has requested that French Former Home secretary,Dominique de Villepin, Minister of Defence, Michèle Alliot-Marie and Foreign Affairs ,Michel Barnier under president Jacques Chirac appear for questioning .

The judge has alleged that the three ministers played a part in the bombing.

Nine French military personnel and a civilian were killed in the incident.

It occured during a severe unrest and violence in the country.

A 25 fighter bomber belonging to the Ivorian Air force were used in the bombing.

The planes had been conducting missions for several days against rebel forces in the country as part of a government offensive against the rebels.

In response to the the unrest, French troops destroyed Ivory Coast Air force and other assets and evacuated French citizens from the country.

French interests represent 33% of foreign investments in Ivory Coast and 30% of its gross domestic product. Since Ivory Coast’s independence in 1960, French companies have used one-sided contracts to repatriate 75% of the wealth generated there.