Cote d'Ivoire: Protesters gather in Abidjan’s Yopougon area November 9 /update 10

Event

Violent election-related unrest has been reported in Abidjan's Yopougon area on Monday, November 9. Local sources have reported property damage and claim that demonstrators blocked roads around the Palais de Justice de Yopougon and in the areas of Sideci and Akadjoba. Security forces have used tear gas to disperse protesters in the city.

Heightened security measures should be anticipated in the vicinity of any demonstrations, particularly as a ban on gatherings remains in place amid coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions. Further election-related unrest with disruptions to transportation and business likely.

Context

President Alassane 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.

After opposition groups boycotted the election on October 31, Ouattara was confirmed as having won a third term on November 3 with 94.27 percent of the vote on a 53.9 percent turnout. However, the result was rejected by the two main opposition candidates, Pascal Affi N'Guessan and Henri Konan Bédié, who announced the formation of a joint National Transitional Council (NTC) to prepare for fresh elections.

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.