COTE D’IVOIRE: Gbago’s new party reshuffles Ivorian politics
Over the weekend of 16/17 October, former president Laurent Gbagbo (76) officially launched his new African People’s Party of Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) in Abidjan. By acclamation, some 1,600 delegates also elected Gbagbo as the party’s first president. The new leftist party has the po… Become a member to read the rest of this article […]
COTE D’IVOIRE: Bedie and Gbagbo solidify their alliance
Over the weekend, former presidents Laurent Gbagbo (76; 2000-2011) and Henri Konan Bedie (87; 1993-1999) met at Bedie’s rural estate in Douakro. The former arch enemies’ very public meeting solidifies an opposition alliance that has been in the making since 2019. It is far from c… Become a member to read the rest of […]
COTE D’IVOIRE: Gbagbo back, questions remain
Following the return of former president Laurent Gbagbo (2000-2011) last week, important questions concerning his political future remain unanswered. Chief among those is what kind of arrangement Gbagbo secured from President Alassane Ouattara concerning his pending prison senten… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Implications of Gbagbo’s pending return
On 31 March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) upheld its earlier acquittal of former president Laurent Gbagbo (2000-2010) and his co-defendant and former youth minister Charles Ble Goude. The ruling clears a main hurdle for both defendants to return to Cote d’Ivoire. Nevert… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Succession uncertainty by design
Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko’s death from cancer last week leaves his successor Patrick Achi in pole position to take up the reins from President Alassane Ouattara by 2025. However, the succession debate has only just begun and leaves enough time for other would-be candidates, i… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
COTE D’IVOIRE: Cabinet reshuffle amid looming post-election dispute
On 8 March, President Alassane Ouattara announced an cabinet reshuffle, necessitated by Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko’s apparently rapidly deteriorating state of health. As Bakayoko’s chief internal rival, Ouattara’s chief of staff Patrick Achi, becomes prime minister ad interim,… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Violent escalation averted, problems remain
While the post-election stand-off between the opposition and the government continues, the risk of a violent escalation appears to have largely subsided for now. Neither the ongoing house arrest of key opposition leaders, nor an open appeal by the exiled ex-militia leader Guill… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Ouattara declared winner, opposition to form counter-government
In the early hours of 3 November, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) declared President Alassane Ouattara the winner of the 31 October presidential election, with 94.3% of votes cast, amid an official turnout of 53.9%. However, the proclamation of results was proceeded … Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Ouattara set to win, yet prospects for post-electoral escalation
President Alassane Ouattara is expected to secure an outright majority in the first round of the presidential election on 31 October. Voter turnout is likely to remain substantially below the 50% mark, which may encourage the opposition to announce the formation of a counter-gove… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COTE D’IVOIRE: Election Boycott Now Official
On 15 October, the first official day of the campaign, the main opposition candidates Henri Konan Bedie and Pascal Affi N’Guessan jointly announced their boycott of the 31 October presidential election and exhorted their supporters to ignore the vote. This anticlimactic developme… Become a member to read the rest of this article