Thousands Protest Opposition Exclusion, Ouattara Fourth Term Ivory Coast

Thousands of Ivorians protested in Abidjan against President Alassane Ouattara's bid for a controversial fourth term in the upcoming October presidential election, following the exclusion of key opposition figures such as former President Laurent Gbagbo and opposition leader Tidjane Thiam. The electoral commission barred these opposition leaders, citing legal grounds like dual nationality in Thiam's case, which has been widely seen as influenced by Ouattara's administration. Protesters carried banners demanding true democracy, justice, inclusion of all candidates on the electoral roll, and peaceful elections, while recalling past electoral violence linked to Ouattara's tenure. Ouattara, who amended the constitution in 2016 to remove presidential term limits, defends his candidacy as necessary to maintain national stability amid security and economic challenges. Opposition leaders and civil society groups have condemned the exclusion as unconstitutional and a threat to democracy, raising fears of renewed political polarization and unrest. Authorities have yet to respond publicly to the protests, which reflect deep divisions in Ivory Coast's political landscape ahead of a critical election in the world's top cocoa-producing country.