Keypoints:
- Thousands protest in Abidjan over candidate exclusions
- CAP-CI coalition calls for dialogue and electoral reform
- Simone Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam urge peaceful elections
THOUSABDS of opposition supporters rallied in Abidjan on Saturday to protest the exclusion of key presidential candidates and to demand sweeping electoral reforms ahead of Cote d’Ivoire’s October 25 election.
The demonstration, held in the city’s Yopougon district, was the first major mobilisation of the newly formed 24-party coalition CAP-CI. Protesters called for the reinstatement of banned candidates, a revision of the electoral roll, and the reform of the country’s electoral commission.
As reported by AFP, demonstrators waved banners reading ‘Exclusion is not victory’ and ‘Inclusive elections’, as whistles, vuvuzelas and popular zouglou music filled the air.
Simone Gbagbo calls for urgent dialogue
Simone Gbagbo, former first lady and spokesperson for the CAP-CI coalition, addressed the crowd directly. ‘I would like once again to invite the government to urgently convene the political dialogue so desired by political parties,’ she said.
Her call came as frustrations mount over what opposition leaders see as a calculated effort to restrict democratic participation by banning prominent figures from standing in the vote.
Thiam joins rally via livestream
Tidjane Thiam, president of the Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire (PDCI) and a leading opposition voice, addressed supporters via livestream. Thiam has been out of the country for over two months and is barred from running due to a legal dispute over his nationality.
‘We call on the authorities to show common sense and restraint so that October’s election takes place peacefully and in line with international standards,’ Thiam said. ‘Ivorians simply want to express themselves freely.’
Thiam is one of four prominent opposition figures barred from the election — a move the coalition says undermines the legitimacy of the process and raises the risk of instability.
Tensions rise ahead of crucial vote
The protest comes amid deepening political tension in the West African nation. Memories remain raw from the 2010–2011 post-election crisis, when then-president Laurent Gbagbo’s refusal to concede to current leader Alassane Ouattara led to a conflict that killed around 3,000 people.
Ouattara, 83, has yet to confirm whether he will seek another term. His party, the RHDP, is set to hold a congress on June 21–22 where his candidacy may be announced.
The government has so far remained silent in response to CAP-CI’s demands, but Saturday’s rally has turned up the pressure.
As the election draws near, opposition leaders and civil society groups are urging authorities to embrace dialogue and transparency — or risk repeating the country’s painful political past.
