Cote d'Ivoire: Protesters gather in Gagnoa and Diegonefla August 14 /update 5

Event

Protests were reported in Gôh's Gagnoa (Gôh-Djiboua district) and Diegonefla (Oumé department) on Friday, August 14, as anti-government protesters continue to condemn President Alassane Ouattara's decision to run for a third term in the October 31 election. The protests seemed to pass off peacefully, and no clashes were reported. Gagnoa is the birthplace of former president Laurent Gbagbo who was in office between 2000-11. Gbagbo has been excluded from running in the October election. 

Authorities imposed a nightly curfew in the town of Daoukro (Iffou region) on Wednesday, August 12, in a bid to quell recent unrest after three days of clashes during protests. The curfew will be in place from 19:00 to 06:00 (local time) and it has not been specified how long it will be imposed for. 

Further unrest is likely across Côte d'Ivoire over the coming days. A heightened security presence is likely, along with disruptions to overland travel. 

Context

Protests have taken place across the country in recent days to condemn President Alassane Ouattara's decision to run for a third term in the October 31 election. The protests have led to dozens of arrests and at least three deaths, two of which occurred during demonstrations in Daoukro on Wednesday.

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.