COTE D’IVOIRE: Opposition United?
While the opposition managed to pull off its largest mass gathering yet on 10 October, it still lacks a joint strategy, and its messaging remains weak. As it stands, neither of the main opposition candidates is prepared to step down and endorse a consensus candidate ahead of the … Become a member to read […]
COTE D’IVOIRE: Calls to postpone election unlikely to be heeded
President Alassane Ouattara is highly unlikely to give in to opposition demands to postpone the 31 October general election by three months or even more. While the opposition has failed to muster enough pressure to force concessions, its unrealistic demands make it even easier t… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
COTE D’IVOIRE: Opposition fails to put on the pressure
On 25 September, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) ruled that the exclusion of former president Laurent Gbagbo was illegal and that the government should enable him to run in the 31 October presidential election. Nevertheless, despite the conditional releas… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: The opposition gambles with an election boycott
During a joint rally of several opposition parties on 20 September, presidential candidate Henri Konan Bedie (Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire, PDCI) called upon his supporters to engage in a civil disobedience campaign to protest President Alassane Ouattara’s intention to run … Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Bedie remains Ouattara’s main challenger
As expected, the constitutional council this week whittled down the list of candidates for the 31 October presidential election, from 44 to just four. In doing so, the council unsurprisingly confirmed President Alassane Ouattara’s eligibility to run for a third term, while inval… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Consolidation of presidential candidates list spells trouble
Following the end of the registration period for presidential candidates on 31 August, the electoral commission will hand over the application files of 40 candidates to the constitutional council for vetting this week. It remains to be seen how many would-be candidates have provi… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: The perils of Ouattara’s decision to run again
On 6 August, President Alassane Ouattara officially announced that he will seek a third term by becoming the candidate of his Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) in the upcoming presidential election. The controversial decision, which was increasingly antic… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Ouattara increasingly likely to run again
Top Communist Party leaders convened their quarterly Politburo meeting on 30 July, signaling a policy shift towards monetary tightening and containment of financial risks, after strong second quarter GDP data instilled confidence in the country’s growth trajectory. The official … Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Vice President’s resignation adds to Ouattara’s problems
On 13 July, a presidential spokesperson announced that President Alassane Ouattara had accepted the resignation of Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan on 8 July, the same day that Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly had died. While the timing might be coincidental, Duncan’s resig… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Coulibaly’s death changes political calculus ahead of election
On 8 July, President Alassane Ouattara announced the sudden death of his prime minister and anointed successor Amadou Gon Coulibaly. The prime minister’s demise is a severe blow for Ouattara, who – despite Coulibaly’s known health issues – had not planned for this scenario. … Become a member to read the rest of this […]