"I have been observing this fracture since when I was 15 years old, that is since our independence in 1960. At first, theAgnis [an ethnic group in the eastern part of the country] felt that they were excluded and marginalized. The Sanwis, a sub-group among the Agnis, wanted to secede at that time. Later, the Bétés [an ethnic group in the midwest] felt that they were excluded and marginalized (I am a Bété myself). Today, the people in the north feel that they are excluded and marginalized (they felt so before my election and still do today)."