As Côte d’Ivoire prepares for its presidential elections on 25 October 2025, international free speech watchdog ARTICLE 19 has called on authorities to uphold democratic principles, safeguard free expression, and ensure an open and peaceful civic environment.
In a statement signed by Maateuw Mbaye, Programme Officer for Protection & Civic Space, ARTICLE 19 expressed deep concern over escalating restrictions on freedom of expression, political participation, and peaceful protest in the lead-up to the polls.
The organisation cited a string of violent incidents, including the killing of a 22-year-old protester in Bonoua on 13 October during a demonstration against President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term. Police reported that the victim was shot by unidentified individuals in a moving vehicle, prompting an ongoing investigation.
Two days earlier, on 11 October, security forces in Abidjan forcibly dispersed an opposition protest denouncing the exclusion of key opposition leaders from the presidential race. At least 237 people, including journalists and activists, were detained, with several injured as police fired tear gas and blocked roads. Civil society organisations condemned the crackdown as disproportionate and politically motivated, while the Interior Ministry defended it as necessary for maintaining public order.
Tensions have intensified since the Constitutional Council validated Ouattara’s candidacy but disqualified opposition figures Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, prompting widespread outrage. Their parties — the Parti démocratique de Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) and the Parti des peuples africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) — have launched a “Common Front” and vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations despite official bans.
ARTICLE 19 warned that these developments point to a “pattern of excessive force and shrinking civic space.” The group also noted growing intimidation of journalists, including France 24 reporter M’ma Camara, who faced online harassment after covering a PDCI event in June, allegedly orchestrated by political actors.
Labour rights defenders have also been targeted. In April, trade unionist Ghislain Duggary Assy was abducted by masked men and later sentenced to two years in prison for calling a strike — a conviction upheld in July despite his provisional release.
“Suppressing dissenting voices and criminalising civic engagement undermines freedom of expression and weakens the democratic process,” said Alfred Bulakali Nkuru, ARTICLE 19’s Regional Director for West Africa. “Diversity of opinion is vital for citizens to make informed choices. Banning protests and punishing protesters violates Côte d’Ivoire’s own constitution and regional commitments.”
The organisation urged the government to end all forms of harassment against journalists, political actors, and civil society, and to respect fundamental freedoms in line with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
ARTICLE 19 concluded by stressing that respect for human rights and rule of law is essential to ensuring peaceful, credible, and violence-free elections on 25 October.
Source : expressnewsghana.com