Several arrests of opposition members have taken place in recent months in Côte d'Ivoire. Authorities have assured that none of these arrests are related to the individuals' political affiliation.

In Ivory Coast , three members of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) , the main opposition party, have been charged since October 7, notably with "conspiracy against the authority of the State," their lawyer and their party told AFP on Thursday.

Several arrests of opposition members have taken place in recent months in Côte d'Ivoire, where the political climate is tense, particularly due to the Constitutional Council's rejection of the candidacies of the main opponents, including PDCI president Tidjane Thiam .

"A total of 13 people were arrested and brought before the anti-terrorism investigation unit on Tuesday [October 7]. They are accused of conspiracy against state authority and disturbing public order," their lawyer, Sosthène Touré, told AFP. "They are accused of being involved in organizing the banned march on October 4 and of preparing subversive actions," he added. He added that among them, one person appears to have been arrested in error, as he is apparently not a member of the PDCI. A PDCI MP and lawyer, Jean-Chrysostome Blessy, confirmed to AFP that 13 people had been charged.

“Regular surveys”

Two opposition parties, the PDCI, led by Tidjane Thiam, and the African Peoples' Party-Côte d'Ivoire ( PPA-CI ), led by former President Laurent Gbagbo (2000-2011), had announced a march on October 4 "for democracy, justice, and peace." Banned by the authorities due to "high risk of public disorder," it was postponed by the parties to Saturday. Last week, the authorities also announced a ban on marches and meetings challenging the decisions of the Constitutional Council.

Both Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo have been removed from the electoral roll, the former for nationality reasons and the latter for a criminal conviction. The opposition also criticizes the possibility that Alassane Ouattara , in power since 2011, could serve a fourth term, believing it to be unconstitutional.

Ivorian fundamental law provides for a maximum of two terms, but the Constitutional Council believes that with the new Constitution adopted in 2016, the presidential term counter had been reset. "They want to lock up all our activists so that we can't march, so that we can't challenge the fourth term, which is completely illegal and unconstitutional," declared Jean-Chrysostome Blessy.

The authorities have assured that all these arrests have no connection with political affiliation and that those arrested are subject to regular investigation procedures.

Four opposition candidates are qualified to challenge Alassane Ouattara: former Trade Minister Jean-Louis Billon, a PDCI dissident; two former comrades of Laurent Gbagbo who have broken with him; his ex-wife, Simone Ehivet Gbagbo; and former Minister Ahoua Don Mello; and finally, Henriette Lagou, who was already a candidate in 2015.