Thousands Protest in Ivory Coast Over Exclusion of Opposition Leaders

Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Yopougon, a populous suburb of Abidjan, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, to denounce the exclusion of key opposition figures from Ivory Coast’s October presidential election.

The banned candidates include former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex–Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, both removed from the race over legal and constitutional grounds. Authorities say Thiam’s past French citizenship disqualifies him, despite his renunciation in March.

Demonstrators carried placards reading “Enough is enough” and “No true democracy without true justice,” demanding a revised electoral roll and free participation for all eligible contenders. Many also voiced opposition to President Alassane Ouattara’s controversial bid for a fourth term, which critics say undermines democratic principles.

“We don’t want a fourth term, and we want the electoral roll revised… we want to go to the elections in peace, that’s all we want,” activist Sagesse Divine told reporters.

Ivory Coast, which endured a deadly political crisis after the 2010 election, now faces heightened tension as the vote approaches. Observers warn the dispute over candidate eligibility could spark unrest if not resolved through dialogue.