On Saturday, October 11, 2025, the streets of Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s bustling economic heart, were anything but calm. What began as a planned opposition march quickly descended into chaos as police moved in with tear gas and makeshift roadblocks, scattering small groups of protesters who had defied an official ban. According to the Minister of the Interior and Security, Gen. Vagondo Diomandè, at least 237 people were arrested during the protest, which authorities labeled illegal. The high-profile crackdown has drawn renewed attention to the country’s mounting political tensions just two weeks before Ivorians head to the polls for a presidential election.
The demonstration, organized by activists alarmed over what they describe as the country’s “authoritarian drift,” was met with a heavy-handed response. Protesters reported that security forces deployed tear gas near the planned start of the march, and makeshift roadblocks sprang up as authorities sought to prevent crowds from gathering. The government’s message was clear and uncompromising. On national television, Gen. Diomandè declared, “All these people will be held accountable for their actions,” reiterating that the protest was illegal under the prefecture’s order to maintain order during the tense pre-election period.
The events of October 11 are the latest flashpoint in a nation where political contestation has often tipped into violence. Ivory Coast, home to 32 million people and the largest economy in Francophone West Africa, stands at a crossroads. The upcoming presidential election is shaping up to be one of the most contentious in recent memory, with the stakes heightened by recent decisions that have dramatically narrowed the field of candidates.
Earlier in 2025, the country’s electoral commission barred four major opposition figures from running, among them former President Laurent Gbagbo and the internationally known former Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam. This move has been widely criticized by opposition supporters and international observers, who argue that it undermines the credibility of the election and restricts voters’ choices at a pivotal moment for the nation.
At the center of the storm is President Alassane Ouattara, who has held power since 2010. His announcement earlier this year that he would seek a controversial fourth term has been met with outrage from his critics and concern from civil society groups. The controversy stems from a 2016 constitutional amendment that removed the country’s presidential term limit, a change that Ouattara has used to justify his continued leadership. He has argued that the Ivory Coast faces “unprecedented security, economic and monetary challenges” and that his experience is essential for navigating these turbulent times.
But for many Ivorians, the president’s decision to run again is emblematic of a broader trend across West Africa, where leaders have increasingly sought to extend their rule by altering constitutional term limits. This pattern has sparked fears of democratic backsliding and raised the specter of renewed instability in a region already grappling with significant security threats.
Indeed, the past decade has seen groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State expand their reach from the Sahel region into the wealthier coastal states of West Africa, including Ivory Coast, Togo, and Benin. The threat of extremist violence has added a new layer of complexity to the country’s political landscape, with government officials citing security concerns as justification for restricting public demonstrations and imposing strict measures during the election period.
The day before the protest, the prefect of Abidjan issued a sweeping declaration: all marches in the capital on October 11 were to be considered illegal, citing the need to maintain order as the election approached. This announcement did little to deter opposition activists, who argue that the right to assemble and express dissent is fundamental—especially during a critical election season. Still, the government’s resolve was unyielding, and security forces wasted no time in enforcing the ban.
Saturday’s events are hardly unprecedented in Ivory Coast’s recent history. The country’s elections have long been marred by tension and violence. When President Ouattara ran for a third term, the nation witnessed deadly clashes that left several people dead. The memory of those incidents still lingers, fueling apprehension about what might unfold as this year’s high-stakes vote draws near.
For many in Abidjan, the sight of tear gas wafting through the streets and the sound of sirens blaring have become all too familiar. Yet, the determination of protesters to make their voices heard, even in the face of official bans and the threat of arrest, speaks to a deep-seated frustration with the current state of Ivorian politics. As one activist put it, the protest was a stand “against the country’s authoritarian drift”—a sentiment echoed by many who feel that the space for democratic participation is shrinking.
Authorities, on the other hand, have defended their actions as necessary to preserve peace and stability. Gen. Diomandè’s televised statement left little room for ambiguity: “All these people will be held accountable for their actions.” The government’s position is that, with the election so close and security threats looming, extraordinary measures are justified to prevent unrest and ensure a smooth voting process.
This argument has resonated with some segments of the population, particularly those who recall the violence of previous elections and fear a repeat. For them, the prospect of instability is more alarming than the restrictions on protest. Others, however, see the government’s approach as a dangerous overreach—one that risks stoking further resentment and undermining the legitimacy of the electoral process.
International observers are watching closely. The exclusion of key opposition candidates, the heavy-handed policing of dissent, and the president’s bid for a fourth term have all raised red flags among human rights groups and foreign governments. Many are calling for calm, urging all parties to respect democratic norms and ensure that the election is free, fair, and inclusive.
As Ivory Coast prepares for its pivotal vote, the events of October 11 serve as a stark reminder of the country’s fragile political equilibrium. The coming weeks will test not only the resilience of its institutions but also the resolve of its people to chart a peaceful and democratic path forward. With tensions running high and the world’s eyes on Abidjan, the stakes could hardly be higher.
What happens next in Ivory Coast will likely reverberate far beyond its borders, offering a telling glimpse into the broader challenges facing West Africa as it grapples with questions of leadership, democracy, and security in the 21st century.
