Ivory Coast bans political rallies ahead of presidential elections
Ivory Coast authorities have announced a two-month ban on political rallies and demonstrations, just a week before the October 25 presidential election, further tightening restrictions on opposition activities.
The ban, jointly declared on Friday by the interior and defence ministries, applies to all political parties and groups except the five candidates officially cleared to contest the poll.
The decision follows growing political tension after opposition figures Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam were excluded from the race. Protests erupted in Abidjan last weekend, prompting security forces to disperse demonstrators. Sporadic unrest, including road and school blockades, has been reported across several regions.
Public prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone said about 700 people had been arrested in the past week, adding that phone data revealed plans for attacks on public institutions, which he described as “acts of terrorism.”
On Thursday, 26 protesters were sentenced to three years in prison for public order offences, while 105 others are expected to face trial next week.
The opposition coalition — including Gbagbo’s African Peoples’ Party–Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) and Thiam’s Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) — has condemned President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term.
While Amnesty International has urged authorities to end what it called the repression of peaceful protests, Justice Minister Sansan Kambile defended the crackdown, citing national security concerns.
Ouattara faces four other candidates, including former minister Jean-Louis Billon and ex-first lady Simone Gbagbo, in next week’s tense election.
