Tear Gas Fired and Arrests Made in Abidjan as Opposition Defies Ban on Protests
On Saturday, police in Ivory Coast used tear gas to break up small groups of demonstrators in Abidjan who defied a government ban on an opposition-led march. Several protesters were detained at the scene.
The demonstration had been organized by an opposition coalition but was prohibited by Ivorian authorities a day earlier. Before dawn, security forces sealed off the area, blocking major roads, erecting barricades, and patrolling to prevent gatherings. Despite the tight security, protesters managed to assemble in small pockets across the city.
Police responded with tear gas and arrests. One woman was heard shouting, “What did I do?” as officers tried to detain her. Protester Honoré N’guessan openly questioned why the march had been banned. Another participant, a supporter of the PDCI—the party of disqualified opposition candidate Tidjane Thiam—spoke briefly before police arrested several journalists and seized their equipment.
The demonstration comes amid growing political tension ahead of national elections. President Alassane Ouattara, in power since 2010, announced in July his intention to seek a fourth term. The presidential election is scheduled for October 25, though several opposition candidates have been barred from contesting.
In August, thousands had already taken to the streets in Abidjan to protest Ouattara’s bid for another term. Officials claimed the latest protest was banned to preserve public order. Still, demonstrators chanted slogans such as “No to a fourth term!” as they faced police repression.
Ouattara joins a list of West African leaders who have extended their rule by revising constitutional term limits. He has defended his decision to run again, citing severe security, economic, and financial challenges facing the country that, he says, demand experienced leadership.
- Over the past ten years, extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State have expanded their reach from the Sahel into coastal nations including Ivory Coast, Togo, and Benin, intensifying security concerns in the region.
