What's happened
Ivory Coast faces political unrest as protests erupt over candidate exclusions ahead of October 25 elections. Opposition figures, including Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo, have been barred from running, leading to arrests and protests. The government maintains the protests are illegal amid fears of violence.
What's behind the headline?
The protests highlight deep political divisions and the use of legal and constitutional measures to extend incumbents' power. The exclusion of key opposition figures, such as Thiam and Gbagbo, appears aimed at consolidating President Ouattara's bid for a fourth term. The government's crackdown, including arrests and banning protests, risks escalating violence and undermining democratic processes. The broader regional context involves increasing constitutional manipulations across West Africa, with leaders seeking to stay in power amid security threats from groups linked to al-Qaida and ISIS. The situation suggests that the election will likely be marred by unrest, with the potential for further polarization and instability if the government persists in suppressing opposition voices.
What the papers say
Bloomberg reports that the government has arrested hundreds of protesters, including women and youths, and banned all election-related demonstrations. AP News details the large protests, arrests, and the use of tear gas, emphasizing the tension and violence surrounding the election. Both sources highlight the exclusion of opposition candidates and the government's efforts to maintain order, but Bloomberg focuses more on the security crackdown, while AP emphasizes the protests' scale and violence. The coverage underscores the fragile political climate and the risks of further unrest as Ivory Coast approaches its election date.
How we got here
Ivory Coast's constitution limits presidents to two terms, but a 2016 amendment was used to reset Ouattara's tenure. Several opposition candidates, including Thiam and Gbagbo, were disqualified due to citizenship and legal issues. The election is set for October 25, amid longstanding tensions and recent protests, with authorities banning demonstrations to maintain order.
Go deeper
- What are the legal grounds for barring Thiam and Gbagbo?
- Will the protests influence the election outcome?
- How is the government justifying the crackdown?
More on these topics
-
Alassane Dramane Ouattara is an Ivorian politician who has been President of Ivory Coast since 2010. An economist by profession, Ouattara worked for the International Monetary Fund and the Central Bank of West African States, and he was the Prime Minister
-
Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire and officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital city of Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centr
-
Tidjane Thiam is a French and Ivorian businessman, and the executive chairman of Freedom Acquisition Corp. He was the chief executive officer of Swiss bank Credit Suisse from March 2015 to February 2020.
-
Koudou Laurent Gbagbo is an Ivorian politician who was the President of Côte d'Ivoire from 2000 until his arrest in April 2011.