Côte d'Ivoire: Anti-government protests planned nationwide until at least September 20 /update 10

Event

Anti-government protests are planned to continue until at least Sunday, September 20, across urban centers in Cote d'Ivoire. Protests are ongoing as the country's Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) discusses whether to eliminate former President Laurant Gbagbo and former president of the National Assembly, Guillaume Soro, from the list of candidates for the October 2020 presidential election. Protests are likely to be called by the Ivorian Citizen Alternative (ALC), Parti Democratique de la Cote d'Ivoire - Rassemblement Democratique Africain (PDCI), the Generations and United Peoples (GPS) movement, and the Front Populaire Ivoirien (FPI).

Recent demonstrations have taken place in several cities across the country, including Abidjan, Yomossoukro, Man, Port Bouet, and Bouake.

A heightened security presence is to be anticipated in the vicinity of any protest site, along with disruptions to overland travel.

Context

President Alassane Ouattara announced on August 7 that he would be standing for a third term in presidential elections scheduled to be held on October 31. The president had been expected to stand down at the end of his current term, but the sudden death of his would-be 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 multiple opposition and civil society groups. Unrest linked to the issue has resulted in several fatalities and dozens of arrests in recent weeks.

Advice

Those in Côte 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.