Amnesty International has made a strong appeal to the authorities in Côte d’Ivoire to cease the suppression of peaceful protests in the lead-up to the presidential elections scheduled for October 25, 2025. This call to action comes after security forces in Abidjan forcefully dispersed a peaceful demonstration on October 11, resulting in the arrest of 255 participants.

Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, emphasized the critical nature of upholding the right to peaceful assembly, especially during the electoral period. "Any restriction on public protests must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, and non-discriminatory," Sivieude stated. He urged that instead of prohibiting these assemblies, the authorities should facilitate them and focus on de-escalation and protecting the participants.

The incident on October 11 involved the use of tear gas by security forces to disperse protesters, who were defying a ban on public demonstrations decreed by the National Security Council. This council had previously announced measures to maintain security during the election period, including a prohibition on meetings and public assemblies that could challenge decisions by the Constitutional Council.

Sivieude criticized these blanket bans as being disproportionate and in violation of international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). He argued that peaceful protest should be seen as a right, not a privilege, highlighting its importance for candidates to engage with voters freely.

The electoral commission of Côte d’Ivoire recently confirmed five candidates for the upcoming election, following the controversial exclusion of two opposition candidates. In reaction to the ban on public demonstrations, opposition parties organized a rally on October 11, which also faced repression. The same evening, security measures escalated with forces surrounding the residence of opposition leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan, although they later withdrew.

This pattern of suppressing civil liberties has been a recurring issue in Côte d’Ivoire. Earlier in April, the arrest of Ivorian unionist Ghislain Duggary Assy drew international criticism, with calls for the government to protect the rights to strike and to hold peaceful assemblies.

As the presidential elections draw near, the global community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful and democratic process that respects the fundamental freedoms of the Ivorian people.