Cote d'Ivoire: Pro-government rallies to be held in Abidjan on August 13 /update 1

Event

Youth activists have announced that they will hold a rally in Abidjan on Thursday, August 13, in support of President Alassane Ouattara. The rally is expected to be held in the western Yopougon area of the city, with activists marching from the Gesco area to Place CP1 in Yopougon Selmer. Similar gatherings may also be held in other towns and cities but details are yet to be announced.

The rallies in support of Ouattara and the RHDP government come as opposition activists from the Citizen Alternative (ACI) civil society organization plan to hold demonstrations across Cote d'Ivoire on Thursday to protest the decision of Ouattara to stand for a third term in October's presidential election. The rival demonstrations are likely to occur in different areas of Abidjan and other cities, but confrontations between demonstrators and counter-protesters remain possible.

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.