Several thousand supporters of Côte d’Ivoire’s main opposition party took to the streets of Abidjan on Saturday, June 14, to demand the reinstatement of their leader Tidjane Thiam and other political figures excluded from the upcoming October presidential election.
The Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) organized a peaceful protest to contest what it calls unjust and arbitrary removal of opposition candidates from the electoral register. Thiam, the party’s president, was disqualified by the judiciary over nationality-related issues, making him ineligible to run in the October 25 vote. Other opposition leaders have faced similar exclusions, further heightening political tensions.
On Saturday morning, despite the rain, PDCI supporters dressed in the party’s green and white colors marched toward the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), the institution in charge of organizing the election. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Tithi for President,” “CEI is corrupt,” and “Justice is corrupt,” according to AFP reporters. The demonstrators were stopped about 100 meters from the CEI by a strong police presence, but the protest remained peaceful. Only a few party officials were allowed into the building to deliver a formal letter.
“Arbitrary and Unjustified Disqualification”
PDCI leader Tidjane Thiam, who has been outside Côte d’Ivoire for the past three months due to concerns about his freedom of movement, did not attend the demonstration.
“We strongly condemn the arbitrary and unjustified removal of President Thiam and other key opposition figures from the electoral roll,” declared PDCI Executive Secretary Sylvestre Emmou.
“This is unacceptable and dangerous for peace and democracy in our country,” he added.
Other prominent figures—including former President Laurent Gbagbo, his former ally Charles Blé Goudé, and exiled former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro—have also been barred from running due to past judicial convictions.
“We see these exclusions as deliberate political maneuvers to eliminate key opponents using legally weak justifications,” Emmou added, calling for the unconditional reinstatement of all excluded leaders.
The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), often criticized by the opposition, has denied any bias or collusion with the ruling party, stating that it is simply enforcing the law. The government has also denied influencing judicial decisions.
President Alassane Ouattara, who has been in power since 2011, has not yet announced whether he will run for a fourth term, but he is expected to be nominated by his party at its congress scheduled for June 21–22.
(AFP)
