The government of Ivory Coast has announced a sweeping ban on public gatherings, meetings, and demonstrations organized to contest the disqualification of several prominent opposition candidates from the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 25. The decision, made public shortly after the Constitutional Council released the definitive list of approved contenders, has sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, who view the move as an alarming setback for democratic freedoms in the country.
Among the high-profile figures excluded from the race is Tidjane Thiam, the former CEO of Credit Suisse and leader of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI). Thiam’s candidacy was invalidated due to a court ruling that found he had held French nationality at the time of his registration, despite his claims of having renounced it earlier in the year. Other notable names barred from participating include former President Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, and former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro—all of whom maintain significant political influence and loyal bases of supporters.
The disqualifications have triggered a wave of anger and unrest across parts of the country. In Abidjan’s Yopougon suburb, thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets, chanting slogans and waving banners that read “Enough is enough!” and “No true democracy without true justice.” Protesters demanded the reinstatement of the excluded candidates and called for transparent, inclusive elections. Witnesses reported that many of the demonstrators expressed deep frustration, not only with the exclusions themselves but also with what they perceive as the government’s increasing intolerance of dissent.
The authorities, however, have defended the decision to impose the protest ban, citing the need to preserve public order. Officials argue that misinformation and growing unrest surrounding the protests could destabilize the political climate ahead of the elections. According to the government, the restrictions are temporary measures designed to prevent violence and ensure that the country avoids a repeat of the deadly post-election crisis of 2010–2011, which claimed thousands of lives and left deep scars on the nation’s political landscape.
Critics, however, see the move as a deliberate attempt to silence opposition voices and undermine democratic principles. Civil society groups and international observers warn that suppressing protests while simultaneously excluding influential opposition leaders could erode public trust in the electoral process. Opposition coalitions have already condemned the government’s actions, accusing it of orchestrating a political strategy that undermines free competition and risks plunging the country into renewed instability.
For now, it remains uncertain whether the barred candidates will find success in challenging their exclusions through legal appeals or by appealing to international partners and organizations such as the African Union or ECOWAS. With just weeks remaining before Ivorians head to the polls, the atmosphere remains tense, and many fear that political repression and the absence of credible dialogue could ignite fresh unrest.
As Ivory Coast approaches this critical electoral moment, the stakes could not be higher. The nation, still grappling with the legacies of past conflicts, now faces a defining test of its democratic institutions and its ability to hold elections that are perceived as fair, inclusive, and legitimate both domestically and abroad. Observers are closely watching whether the government will prioritize stability at the expense of democratic openness, or whether a compromise can be reached to restore confidence in the process before election day.
