Cote d'Ivoire: Demonstrations scheduled to be held on August 13

Event

The Citizen Alternative (ACI) civil society organization called for demonstrations to be held across Cote d'Ivoire on Thursday, August 13, to protest the decision of President Alassane Ouattara to stand for a third term in October's presidential election. No locations or timings for the protests have yet been announced. However, multiple political demonstrations have been held in Abidjan in recent days, with some causing significant disruption in the city.

A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of any protests on Thursday.

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.