Two-month ban on demonstrations deepens fears of repression as opposition leaders barred and hundreds detained ahead of October 25 vote…reports Asian Lite News
Ivory Coast authorities have imposed a sweeping two-month ban on political rallies and demonstrations just a week before the country heads to the polls, in a move further restricting opposition activity ahead of the presidential election.
The ban, announced late on Friday by the interior and defense ministries, applies to all political parties and groups except the five candidates officially approved to contest the October 25 vote. It marks the most stringent political restriction since campaigning began, reflecting the growing tension surrounding the exclusion of key opposition figures from the race.
The move comes amid escalating unrest following the disqualification of opposition heavyweights Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, both barred from standing by the Constitutional Council. Their exclusion has fuelled widespread anger and raised questions about the fairness of the electoral process.
Hundreds of people joined protests across Abidjan last weekend, defying security measures and chanting against President Alassane Ouattara’s government. Security forces swiftly dispersed the crowds with tear gas, and sporadic unrest—including road and school blockades—has since been reported in several regions.
Authorities say they are responding to what they describe as serious threats to public order. Public prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone said that about 700 people have been arrested over the past week. He claimed that phone data had revealed calls for attacks on public institutions, which he described as “acts of terrorism.”
“The individuals behind these acts sought to destabilise the state and sow panic among citizens,” Kone said, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Tensions have been building for weeks. On Thursday, 26 protesters were sentenced to three years in prison for public order offences, and another 105 are due to stand trial next week. Opposition groups and rights organisations have condemned the heavy-handed response, accusing the government of using security concerns as a pretext to silence dissent.
The opposition coalition, which includes Gbagbo’s African Peoples’ Party – Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) and Thiam’s Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), has denounced President Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term, calling it unconstitutional. The coalition argues that Ouattara’s candidacy violates term limits set in the 2016 constitution and undermines the country’s democratic gains since its last major political crisis.
Amnesty International urged authorities to stop “repressing” protests and respect the rights of citizens to express political opinions freely. “Peaceful demonstrations are a legitimate form of political participation and must not be criminalised,” the organisation said in a statement.
Justice Minister Sansan Kambile, however, defended the government’s stance, insisting that the restrictions were necessary to protect national security and prevent further unrest. “We cannot allow the country to slide into chaos. These measures are temporary and intended to ensure a peaceful electoral process,” Kambile said.
President Ouattara, who came to power in 2011 following a post-election conflict that left more than 3,000 people dead, faces four challengers in this month’s vote. Among them are former minister Jean-Louis Billon and ex-first lady Simone Gbagbo, who is running for office for the first time since her release from prison in 2018.
Political analysts say the latest restrictions could further undermine confidence in the electoral process and deepen divisions in a country still scarred by its past crises. The 2010 election dispute between Ouattara and then-incumbent Laurent Gbagbo triggered months of violence and international intervention. Opposition parties have called for mass mobilisation despite the ban, urging supporters to “resist peacefully.” The authorities have warned that any unauthorised gatherings will be “firmly suppressed.”
The ban has also drawn criticism from civil society groups, who argue that the timing—just days before the election—suggests an effort to curtail opposition campaigning. “Restricting public gatherings at this moment effectively silences those who wish to challenge the government’s narrative,” said a member of a local human rights network, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. International observers have yet to comment on the ban, but diplomatic sources in Abidjan say several missions are monitoring the situation closely amid concerns that the crackdown could escalate tensions further.
With less than two weeks until the vote, the atmosphere in Ivory Coast remains fraught. While government officials insist the measures are temporary and aimed at safeguarding peace, opposition supporters see them as part of a broader strategy to stifle dissent and consolidate power. The October 25 election will be a key test for Ivory Coast’s democracy, which has experienced a decade of relative stability but remains fragile. Whether the authorities can balance security with political freedom will likely determine not only the outcome of the vote but also the tone of the country’s politics in the years to come.
