Drogba joins Ivory Coast reconciliation commission

An Ivory Coast official says the country’s top footballer Didier Drogba will join a reconciliation commission designed to heal wounds after the violent postelection crisis.

Truth, Reconciliation and Dialogue Commission spokesman Valery Bony said Saturday that the prime minister thinks the Chelsea striker can help return peace to the country.

Former strongman Laurent Gbagbo’s refusal to cede power after losing a November poll plunged the country into months of violence that killed thousands. He was arrested in April by forces loyal to President Alassane Ouattara.

Drogba has helped quell political strife in his country before and is regarded as something of a peace figure in the West African nation.