Cote d'Ivoire: Authorities impose curfew in Daoukro (Iffou region) August 12 /update 4

Event

Authorities imposed a nightly curfew in the town of Daokro (Iffou region) on Wednesday, August 12, in a bid to quell recent unrest after three days of clashes during protests. The curfew will be in place from 19:00 to 06:00 (local time) and it has not been specified how long it will be imposed for. Protests have taken place across the country in recent days to condemn President Alassane Ouattra's decision to run for a third term in the October 31 election. The protests have led to dozens of arrests and at least three deaths, two of which occurred during demonstrations in Daokuro on Wednesday. Despite the curfew, some barricades were erected by demonstrators in Daokuro on Thursday, although they did not march as they had done on previous days. Further demonstrations were reported in Abidjan and other areas of Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday, many of which again resulted in clashes between demonstrators and security forces and at least one further fatality has been reported in Bonoua (Sud-Comoé region).

Further unrest is likely in Daoukro and across Côte d'Ivoire over the coming days. A heightened security presence is likely to enforce the curfew, with security checkpoints and patrols among the measures likely to be in place.

Context

Ouattara announced on Friday, August 7, that he would be standing for a third term in presidential elections scheduled to be held in October. The president had been expected to stand down at the end of his current term, but the sudden death of his expected successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, on July 8 left the ruling RHDP coalition with no clear candidate going into the polls. However, Ouattara's decision to stand again has been opposed by opposition and civil society groups.

Advice

Those in Cote d'Ivoire are advised to monitor developments and remain apprised of the political situation, avoid all public demonstrations and political gatherings as a precaution, avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.