Ivory Coast tightens protest ban ahead of presidential vote!

Ivory Coast tightens protest ban ahead of presidential vote!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

In a move raising serious concerns about political freedoms, Ivory Coast authorities have imposed a sweeping two‑month ban on political rallies and public demonstrations, effective immediately, as the country prepares for its presidential election on October 25, 2025. [1]

What We Know

• The ban was announced by the Interior and Defence ministries and applies to all political parties and civil society groups—except the five officially approved presidential candidates. [1]
• The prohibition comes amid growing unrest over the exclusion of prominent opposition figures such as Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo from the candidate list, triggering protests and arrests in recent weeks. [2]
• On October 11, at least 237 people were arrested during a banned protest in Abidjan, where security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds demonstrating against the exclusion of opposition leaders. [3] Why It Matters
• The ban signals a further tightening of political space in Ivory Coast and raises questions about the fairness and openness of the upcoming vote.
• Electoral demonstrations are a key component of democratic expression—curtailing them risks undermining confidence in the electoral process and could trigger wider instability.
• The move comes at a time when the region is already facing mounting political tensions and concerns about democratic rollback. Broader Context
• President Alassane Ouattara, 83, is seeking a fourth term—a bid made possible by a 2016 constitutional change that removed term limits.The exclusion of leading competitors has fueled opposition claims of a power‑grab. [4]
• Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called on the government to end the arrests and offer transparency on the detainees’ conditions and charges. [5]

What to Watch

• Will the ban hold through to the election date without being challenged in courts or in international fora?
• The response of local and international observers to the restriction on rallies and whether they deem the election credible.
• The trajectory of post‑election sentiment—especially if protests resume after the vote under a constrained political environment.

Citations:

1. NAMPA: www.nampa.org/text/22762550?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Africanews: www.africanews.com/2025/10/03/ivory-coast-bans-rallies-as-opposition-leaders-barred-from-october-election/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. The Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/11/ivory-coast-protest-ouattara/7e54c968-a6ad-11f0-8f8b-d9483809ee65_story.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/africa/ivory-coast-opposition-leader-thiam-says-he-wont-drop-presidential-bid-2025-04-23/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/news/world/amnesty-urges-i-coast-to-stop-stifling-protests-ahead-of-polls/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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