17 Dec 2018 | 09:31 AM UTC
Côte d’Ivoire: Unrests during local re-elections December 16 /update 8
Unrests erupted during local re-elections on December 16; election results expected December 17
Event
Unrests erupted in the towns of Grand-Bassam and Port-Bouët, amid election re-runs that were held on Sunday, December 16. Further tensions are likely on Monday, December 17, as the results are due to be released. Heightened security measures are anticipated around all election-related events and polling stations. Violence between supporters of rival parties, and between supporters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
Re-runs were held in two regions and six municipalities after the Supreme Court annulled the results of the October 13 vote due to violence, notably in the municipalities of Grand-Bassam, Port-Bouët, Bingerville, Lakota, Rubino, and Booko as well as the regions of Lôh-Djiboua and Guémon.
Violence erupted in several cities across the country on the day of these elections, held to choose city and regional counselors, notably in Abidjan, Diabo (center), Tiébissou (center), Lakota, Séguela (center), Divo, Bonoua (south), and Grand-Bassam. At least three people were killed. According to official results, the RHDP (Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix) ruling coalition has won the 13 October municipal and regional elections, garnering 46 percent of the vote in the municipal elections and 60 percent of the vote in the regional elections.
Advice
As a precautionary measure, individuals present in Côte d'Ivoire are advised to monitor local media, avoid all protests and demonstrations (as they could turn violent), and refrain from discussing domestic political issues in public.
