In a move that has sent shockwaves through Ivory Coast’s already tense political climate, a court in Abidjan has sentenced 26 opposition protesters to 36 months in prison. The verdict, delivered on October 17, 2025, comes on the heels of mass demonstrations against the exclusion of key opposition figures from the country’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for October 25. The ruling, confirmed by Jean-Chrysostome Blessy, executive secretary of the opposition party PDCI-RDA, has drawn condemnation from opposition leaders and intensified concerns over the fairness of the electoral process.
The saga began on October 11, when thousands of Ivorians took to the streets of Abidjan and other major cities. Their anger was directed at the disqualification of prominent opposition candidates, most notably Tidjane Thiam, a former international banker widely seen as the main challenger to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara. The protests, which authorities quickly moved to suppress, resulted in the arrest of at least 237 people, according to opposition sources cited by the Associated Press and other outlets. The government has not released an official statement on the total number of arrests, but opposition leaders insist the crackdown was severe and targeted.
As the dust settled from the initial demonstrations, the first wave of trials began. On Friday, October 17, the Abidjan court handed down what many are calling harsh sentences—three years behind bars for each of the 26 protesters who stood trial. Blessy, speaking on behalf of the PDCI-RDA, did not specify the charges brought against the group. However, he made clear the opposition’s view that the sentences were politically motivated and intended to send a message to those who would challenge the government’s authority. “The first trials of those arrested during the Oct. 11 demonstrations have resulted in heavy sentences,” Blessy said in a statement, as reported by the Associated Press.
The legal process is far from over. According to Blessy and other opposition figures, hundreds of additional detainees are awaiting their day in court. Their trials are slated to continue on October 22, just three days before Ivorians are set to cast their ballots. The timing, critics argue, is no coincidence. With the nation’s eyes fixed on the upcoming vote, the fate of these protesters has become a flashpoint in a broader debate about democracy, the rule of law, and political inclusion in Ivory Coast.
At the heart of the controversy is the exclusion of Tidjane Thiam from the presidential race. Earlier this year, a court ruled that Thiam, who once served as CEO of Credit Suisse and is regarded as a reform-minded technocrat, was ineligible to run for president. The reason: he held French citizenship at the time of his registration, a violation of Ivorian electoral law. The decision was met with outrage among Thiam’s supporters and many in the opposition, who saw it as a thinly veiled attempt to sideline the candidate most likely to unseat Ouattara.
Thiam was not the only prominent figure barred from the race. Former president Laurent Gbagbo, a polarizing figure in Ivorian politics, was also disqualified from contesting the election. Gbagbo’s exclusion, combined with Thiam’s, has fueled suspicions among opposition groups that the electoral process is being manipulated to ensure a fourth term for President Ouattara. As reported by both the Associated Press and Newsday, protesters have repeatedly claimed that these exclusions are “intended to remove any obstacle to Ouattara’s fourth-term bid for the presidency.”
Ivory Coast’s political landscape has long been marked by volatility and violence, especially around election time. The country’s 2010 presidential election descended into chaos and bloodshed after Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara, triggering a civil conflict that left thousands dead. Memories of that turmoil remain fresh, and many Ivorians fear a repeat if the current tensions are not addressed.
Opposition leaders argue that the government is playing with fire by cracking down on dissent and narrowing the field of candidates. “The exclusion of key opposition figures and the imprisonment of protesters undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process,” one opposition spokesperson told the BBC, echoing concerns voiced by international observers in previous Ivorian elections. The government, for its part, has largely remained silent on the specifics of the recent trials and has not responded to calls for greater transparency or leniency.
Human rights organizations have also weighed in, warning that the mass arrests and speedy trials could further erode trust in the country’s institutions. “When peaceful protesters are met with prison sentences and opposition candidates are disqualified on technicalities, it raises serious questions about the health of democracy in Ivory Coast,” said a representative of Amnesty International, speaking to the press on Friday.
Despite the mounting criticism, the government appears determined to press ahead with the election as planned. President Ouattara, who has already served three terms, is seeking a fourth—a move that has sparked controversy even within his own party. Supporters argue that his leadership has brought stability and economic growth to the country after years of unrest. Detractors, however, accuse him of clinging to power and undermining the spirit of the constitution, which was revised in 2016 to limit presidents to two terms. Ouattara’s allies insist that the revised constitution does not apply retroactively, allowing him to run again, but the debate remains fierce.
For many ordinary Ivorians, the stakes could hardly be higher. With unemployment high and economic inequality persisting, the election represents a rare opportunity to chart a new course for the nation. Yet, as the crackdown on protesters and the exclusion of opposition candidates demonstrate, the path to change is fraught with obstacles. “We want a free and fair election,” said one protester, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal. “But how can we believe in the process when our voices are silenced and our leaders are kept off the ballot?”
As October 25 approaches, all eyes are on Ivory Coast. The outcome of the election—and the fate of those still awaiting trial—will not only shape the country’s immediate future but could also set a precedent for democracy across West Africa. For now, the mood is one of uncertainty, anxiety, and, for many, defiance in the face of adversity.
With the nation poised on a knife-edge, the coming days promise to be decisive for Ivory Coast’s democracy and its people’s hopes for a more inclusive political future.
