Cote d'Ivoire: Security forces deployed in Abidjan on August 10 ahead of planned protests /update 2

Event

Security forces deployed across multiple areas of Abidjan on Monday, August 10, ahead of planned demonstrations in support of former president Laurent Gbagbo. Police and military personnel are reported to have been deployed at various strategic points including Boulevard de la Paix, Boulevard du General de Gaulle, and Rond-Point de la Riviera Deux in Cocody.

Multiple demonstrations against the exclusion of former Gbagbo from the upcoming October presidential election are scheduled to be held on Monday, with protesters planning to gather at Place de la Republique and l'Assemble Nationale from 17:00 (local time) and block traffic on the city's three main bridges: Pont Houphouet-Boigny, Pont General-de-Gaulle, and Pont Henri Konan Bedie.

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

Context

Political tension is building in Cote d'Ivoire ahead of the October 2020 election. Most of the unrest has revolved around the exclusion of Gbagbo and some of his allies from running in the election because of their criminal convictions. The electoral commission has said it will consider their appeals against their exclusions; however, protests were witnessed in Abidjan on Monday, August 3 over the issue, and further protests are likely in the capital and other major urban centers in the lead-up to the election.

Advice

Those in Abidjan and throughout Cote d'Ivoire are advised to keep abreast of the political situation, avoid all public demonstrations and election-related events as a precaution, avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.