IVORY COAST
IVORY COAST: Against the candidacy of President Alassane Ouattara for a 3rd term
Protests Against the candidacy of President Alassane Ouattara for a 3rd term. A declaration co-signed by EDS, CDRP, URD and LIDER on 15 August 2020:
DECLARATION OF THE EDS, CDRP AND THE URD AND LIDER POLITICAL PARTIES ON THE REPRESSION OF THE POPULATION DEMONSTRATIONS ON THURSDAY 13 AUGUST 2020
1. Thursday, August 13, 2020, the Ivorian people took to the streets of several cities in Côte d’Ivoire to protest against the poor conditions in preparation for the upcoming elections and to express their outrage at the declared candidacy of Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara to whom the Constitution, prohibited a third warrant.
2. The EDS and CDRP platforms, the political parties URD and LIDER recall that the right to demonstrate is guaranteed by law, as stipulated in Article 20 of the Constitution: “The freedoms of association, assembly and peaceful demonstration are guaranteed by law.” Moreover, the fundamental law of our country, in its article 1 of Title I, obliges the State to recognize the rights and duties set out in the present Constitution. It undertakes to take all necessary measures to ensure its effective application.”
3. Instead of deferring to its constitutional obligations by framing the peaceful demonstrations of the population, the Unified RHDP regime of Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara chose instead to repress, in blood, said demonstrations. Militiamen armed with machetes and other blunt objects, were transported to several places in the city of Abidjan and in some localities in the interior of the country, to attack walkers with bare hands. The power thus created the conditions of extreme tension that led, in several localities of the country, to communal clashes.
4. The provisional assessment of these sad events, to date, indicates a dozen deaths (12), numerous serious injuries, several people arrested and significant material damage, throughout the country.
5. The platforms EDS and CDRP, the political parties URD and LIDER bow to the memory of the disappeared, offer their condolences to the grieving families, wish a speedy recovery to the wounded and express their solidarity with the victims of the numerous material damages.
6. The EDS and CDRP platforms, the political parties URD and LIDER strongly condemn the unconstitutional acts of the unified RHDP regime which it holds solely and solely responsible for the killings of the demonstrators with bare hands and for all the harms suffered by the people of Côte d’Ivoire who only ask that strict compliance with the provisions of our fundamental law; especially since it authorizes and supervises, at the same time, the demonstrations of its supporters.
7. The EDS and CDRP platforms, the URD and LIDER political parties once again call upon the Head of State, Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara, on his personal responsibility to guarantee the people of Côte d’Ivoire peace and tranquility, by scrupulously respecting the Constitution which he himself inspired.
8. The EDS and CDRP platforms, the URD and LIDER political parties therefore call on the Head of State, Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara:
– to change its mind and simply renounce this third mandate which the Constitution forbids it;
– to respect its word and its commitments by complying with its declaration of 5 March 2020, not to be a candidate for a third term, before the Congress meeting in Yamoussoukro;
– to proceed with the release of all political, civilian and military prisoners and all persons arrested during the protests;
– to create the conditions for the safe return to the land of their ancestors of all exiles led by President Laurent Gbagbo, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, Minister Charles Blé Goudé and Mayor Noël Akossi Benjo.
– without delay, taking into account the latest decision of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights, a frank and republican dialogue with the opposition and all stakeholders with a view to the elaboration and consensual adoption of the conditions for fair, transparent and peaceful elections in Côte d’Ivoire. Lasting peace and social cohesion in our beloved homeland, Côte d’Ivoire, depend on it.
Done at Abidjan, 15 August 2020
For the CDRP Mr. Daniel AKA AHIZI.
For EDS Pr Georges Armand OUEGNIN
For the URD Mrs Daniel BONI CLAVERIE
For LIDER Ms Monique GBEKIA
Initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the major march of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the main opposition party in Côte d’Ivoire, will finally take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This postponement was announced by the party’s Executive Secretary, who points out that the decision came after discussions between the PDCI leadership and the authorities of the Abidjan department. The details of these discussions have not been made public.
This demonstration, highly anticipated by the party’s activists and supporters, aims to support the candidacy of its president, Tidjane Thiam, in the presidential election of 2025, and to protest against his removal from the electoral list. A decision that the party qualifies as unfair and unacceptable, arguing for the right of all Ivorian citizens, including those with dual nationality, to participate in the political life of the country.
The route of the march remains unchanged: the protesters will leave from the SOCOCE space of the 2 Plateaux, in the municipality of Cocody, to head towards the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). The party calls for a strong peaceful mobilization in order to convey a clear message: demand inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections.
The removal of Tidjane Thiam and other opposition figures is mainly based on the issue of dual nationality, a legal provision that continues to be debated as the election approaches. The PDCI, which sees in Thiam a rally candidate capable of unifying the Ivorians, intends to make this march a highlight of its campaign and its democratic fight.
Photo credit: Tidiane Thiam page
The list of presidential candidates in Côte d’Ivoire is expanding on Saturday, May 31, 2025. After the withdrawal of Tidjane Thiam, another candidate comes to replace him. The latter had submitted his application in 2020 but it was invalidated. Indeed, in his announcement of candidacy, the latter has emphasized the valorization of cultural and spiritual values of the country.
The presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire promises to be exciting. Some candidates have been withdrawn and others are being added to the list of candidates. Additions for a common purpose sitting in the chair. An objective that arouses the interest of Olivier Djè Bi Djè, who has submitted his candidacy. Thus, the deputy of the city of Zuénoula announced his candidacy for the presidential election of 25 October 2025 on 31 May 2025.
An application that was invalidated five years ago (2020) due to sponsorship non-compliance. However, this candidacy could be valid because the politician has well prepared his mount before launching. However, there is still some way to go. Indeed, to be sure, the member for Zuénoula of Côte d’Ivoire has an obligation to respect the electoral code by bringing together at least sponsorship in 17 independent regions.
Olivier Djè Bi Djè, in his candidacy announcement speech, unveiled his management plan once at the presidency headquarters. As the Ivorian politician is a manager, he opts for common management with a future of social justice, without forgetting peace and sustainable development.
He gave a pledge on leadership based on the identity of the country. It also intends to place cultural and spiritual values high on the agenda with traditional leaders. Finally, the new candidate calls for unity in order to address the country’s challenges as quickly as possible. He also counts on the population for a victory.
Source: africa-sur7 / Credit photo: afrique-sur7
IVORY COAST
IVORY COAST – Dominique Ouattara receives cultural actors and the UNAIDS Country Director
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the high-class district of Cocody in Abidjan, the first lady of Côte d’Ivoire, Dominique Ouattara, granted a series of hearings to two prominent cultural actors: the artist Dadju and Affou Keïta, as well as to Henk Van Renterghem, UNAIDS Country Director in Côte d’Ivoire These meetings were part of courtesy visits, cultural invitations and discussions on health issues related to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire Dominique Ouattara received the artists and the UNAIDS representative in an official, no less convivial setting. She exchanged views with the two on cultural issues and with the other on the progress made by Côte d’Ivoire in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
French-Congolese artist Dadju Djuna Nsungula, better known as Dadju, came to express his gratitude to the First Lady. The Commission congratulated him on his exceptional career and the positive impact he has had on African youth. She then received the Ivorian singer Affou Keïta, who came to personally give her an official invitation to her live concert “Reconnaissance à l’effort de Paix”, scheduled for 30 May 2025 at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan. This concert aims to promote peace and living together.
Henk Van Renterghem, UNAIDS Country Director in Côte d’Ivoire, came to provide an update on the progress of the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country. He shared updated data with the First Lady and discussed the challenges of declining international funding, including from the U.S. PEPFAR program. “We have come to give an update as it is said in English to the First Lady of the progress and important progress that the country has registered in the fight against AIDS with a view to achieving the target of eliminating this pandemic by 2030. I shared important figures on the progress made by Côte d’Ivoire,” said Mr Henk Van Renterghem.
For many years, Dominique Ouattara has been involved in the promotion of culture in Côte d’Ivoire. Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, the First Lady expressed her unwavering support for UNAIDS. She also renewed her commitment to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
