With less than three months remaining before Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential election scheduled for October 25, opposition parties are intensifying calls for urgent political dialogue and electoral reforms. The demands come in the wake of a recent visit by high-level delegations from the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), who concluded a fact-finding mission to assess the country’s electoral readiness. Despite the visit, tensions remain high as prominent opposition figures—including former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Prime Minister Guillaume Soro—continue to face legal and administrative barriers that prevent them from contesting. Human rights groups and civil society organizations have expressed concerns about the shrinking democratic space and the credibility of the electoral process.
Over the weekend, coordinated protests took place in Abidjan and Paris, where demonstrators demanded fair access to the ballot, an independent electoral commission, and the lifting of restrictions on political opponents. Protesters held signs reading “No Election Without Gbagbo” and “Inclusive Elections Now.”
Opposition leaders have criticized the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) for being biased toward the ruling party and accused the government of using judicial tactics to sideline challengers. They are urging the government of President Alassane Ouattara to initiate immediate talks with all political stakeholders. While the Ivorian government has yet to formally respond, local and international observers warn that failure to address opposition concerns could risk post-election instability, echoing the violence that followed the 2010 election, which left over 3,000 people dead. The AU and ECOWAS are expected to release a joint report on their mission in the coming days, which may include recommendations for fostering a peaceful and inclusive electoral environment.
