Cote d'Ivoire: Presidential candidate confirmation announced on September 15 /update 1

Event

Authorities have confirmed that the Constitutional Council will announce the confirmation of the final presidential candidate's list on Tuesday, September 15. Tensions and protests should be anticipated in the run-up to the event. Despite the current ban on all demonstrations in place until September 15, further protests are expected to occur on a daily basis in the immediate to near term.

Although no official demonstrations have been confirmed, likely gathering points include Abidjan and other areas where protests have taken place in recent weeks.

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 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 six fatalities, over 100 injuries, and 69 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 and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.