Cote d'Ivoire: Police surround opposition leader’s residence in Abidjan November 3 /update 9

Event

Hundreds of police have surrounded the residence of opposition leader Henri Konan Bédié in the Cocody area of Abidjan on Tuesday, November 3. The motive for the deployment has not been revealed, although Bédié was one of the opposition leaders who has not recognized the re-election of President Alassane Ouattara and proposed a new transitional government on Tuesday. Police have not entered the residence but did fire tear gas to disperse a crowd of journalists and opposition supporters who had gathered outside the property.

Clashes between police and Bédié's security personnel are possible if they attempt to enter the premises. Further unrest is likely in Abidjan and across the country over the near term as political tensions remain high following the election.

Context

Ouattara 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 the opposition and civil society groups. Unrest linked to the issue has resulted in several fatalities and dozens of arrests.

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 or on social media, and heed all instructions issued by the local authorities.