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IVORY COAST: Amnesty International press release on post-election violence

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AILRC-F press release of November 16, 2020 Côte d’Ivoire. Use of machetes and firearms testifies to horror of post-election violence

1-Dozens of people killed since the election of October 31

2-Hundreds of injured during clashes

3-Dozens of opposition members arrested

4-Opposition leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan detained incommunicado

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Authorities in Côte d’Ivoire must investigate the killings of dozens of people killed with guns, pistols and machetes since the presidential election, Amnesty International said on November 16, 2020.

Witnesses she spoke to recounted scenes of post-election violence amid growing clashes between supporters of the opposition and the ruling party since October 31. In some cases, security forces have been overwhelmed, unable to stem violence from both sides.

“We call on the Ivorian authorities to investigate this bloody violence and bring those responsible for these acts to justice. The long-standing impunity in Côte d’Ivoire provides fertile ground for those who commit killings and violate human rights without fear of being held to account, said Samira Daoud, director for the West and Central Africa to Amnesty International.

“This is the second time in 10 years that elections in Côte d’Ivoire have been peppered with violence. Steps must be taken without delay to protect the public and make it clear that these killings will not go unpunished. “

Violence erupted in several cities across the country in the run-up to the presidential election and continued after the poll. According to the National Council for Human Rights, between October 31 and November 10, the death toll was 55 dead and 282 injured.

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In addition, dozens of opposition party members have been arrested, including leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan, arrested on the night of November 6-7.

Last week, violence escalated in central Côte d’Ivoire, especially in the towns of Mbatto, Elibou and Daoukro.

In Mbatto, between 9 and 10 November, an opposition demonstration left at least two dead and dozens injured, five of whom are in critical condition, according to information received by Amnesty International. .

Witnesses said ruling party sympathizers attacked the protesters by throwing stones at them, which subsequently sparked violent clashes with machetes and pistols, while the forces security were overwhelmed.

A witness told Amnesty International:

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“They started with stones, then machetes and finally we heard gunshots […] We were violently attacked […] They started setting fire, ransacking and shooting at us. The gendarmes who were in the middle to disperse the crowd with tear gas were discouraged. We found ourselves on our own. “

According to another witness, at least 24 people were injured by firearms on November 9 and 10. Five were in critical condition and could not be evacuated due to the violence. “We’ve never seen that, usually people take machetes, but this time around they all had guns,” he said.

In addition, Amnesty International noted the arrest of dozens of opposition members on the sidelines of the election, after the opposition called for civil disobedience, to boycott the poll, to create a National Transitional Council and to reject the re-election of President Alassane Ouattara.

Opposition leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan was arrested on the night of November 6 and held incommunicado until November 9. During those few days, he was unable to communicate with his family or his lawyer. Pascal Affi N’Guessan said he had not seen daylight for 60 hours. He is targeted by 30 counts, including “attack and conspiracy against state authority, assassination and acts of terrorism”. His lawyer only managed to see him when he appeared before the judge on November 9. Since then, neither his lawyer nor his family have been able to contact him. It is currently impossible to confirm the whereabouts of Pascal Affi N’Guessan. The authorities must allow him to communicate with his lawyer.

On November 3, 21 people were arbitrarily arrested at the home of opposition leader Henri Konan Bédié. Five are still in detention; they are Maurice Guikahué, number two in the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), senators Seri Bi N’Guessan and Bassy Koffi Bernard, and Narcisse N’dri Kouadio, chief of staff of Henri Konan Bédié . They are facing 16 counts, including “attack and conspiracy against state authority”. Security forces are still stationed around the homes of former minister Hubert Oulaye and Pascal Affi N’Guessan, and no one can enter or leave. Amnesty International considers this to be an arbitrary restriction on the right of free movement of all persons inside these buildings.

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This wave of arrests of political opponents follows another round of arrests earlier this year. In August, Amnesty International reported a wave of arrests targeting political dissidents. Between August 13 and October 25, at least 41 people were arrested in Abidjan, Korogho, Toumodi and Alepe while demonstrating or after calling for a demonstration. These include five members of the opposition party GPS, arrested on August 13 while they were on their way to a demonstration, and Pulchérie Edith Gbalet, coordinator of the NGO Alternatives Citoyennes (ACI), arrested on August 15 August at the hotel where she had stayed with two colleagues after calling on the population to demonstrate against a third mandate of Alassane Ouattara.

“The growing crackdown on opposition leaders and government critics is an offensive against human rights. The Ivorian authorities must restore the right of free movement of people in the homes of opposition leaders by putting an end to the mission of the security forces stationed there, said Samira Daoud.

“They must immediately and unconditionally release Pascal Affi N’Guessan and all those detained solely for exercising their fundamental rights. Finally, they must commit to creating a space where citizens can freely express their opinions and demonstrate peacefully, without fear of being arrested, assaulted or killed. “

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IVORY COAST

IVORY COAST – The PDCI-RDA march postponed to June 14 to support Tidjane Thiam

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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

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IVORY COAST

IVORY COAST AFRICA – The PDCI-RDA march postponed to June 14 to support Tidjane Thiam

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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

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IVORY COAST

IVORY COAST – Dominique Ouattara receives cultural actors and the UNAIDS Country Director

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Photo : Kaoci


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.

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