Ivory Coast bans rallies as opposition leaders barred from October election

The Ivorian government has announced a prohibition on public meetings and demonstrations related to the exclusion of certain opposition figures from the forthcoming presidential election scheduled for Wed, Oct 25, 2023. This decision follows the release of the final list of approved candidates by the Constitutional Council.

Several notable opposition leaders have been removed from the ballot. These include Tidjane Thiam, formerly the CEO of Credit Suisse and leader of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), former President Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, and Guillaume Soro. Tidjane Thiam's disqualification is based on a court ruling regarding his French nationality at the time of registration, despite having renounced it earlier this year.

Protests have erupted, with thousands demonstrating on the streets. In the Yopougon suburb of Abidjan, participants displayed banners with messages such as “Enough is enough!” and “No true democracy without true justice,” demanding the reinstatement of the excluded candidates and advocating for fair and inclusive elections.

The government justifies the bans as necessary measures to maintain public order, citing concerns over false information and unrest linked to these protests. However, critics argue that these actions represent a significant challenge to democratic norms.

Currently, it remains uncertain whether the excluded candidates will succeed in overturning their disqualifications through legal means or international intervention. As Ivory Coast approaches this crucial electoral event, the situation is seen as a significant test of the country's democratic processes, following its history of post-election violence.

Based on reporting by Africanews.