‘Thithi president!’: Supporters rally for banned Ivorian opposition hopeful

Supporters of the banned Ivorian opposition candidate have taken to the streets, chanting "Thithi president!" as they rally in defiance of the government's decision to bar their hopeful from the upcoming October elections. The atmosphere is charged, with protesters expressing their determination to see their candidate reinstated. The ban has ignited a fervor among the opposition, who view the move as an attempt to stifle democratic choice. As the elections approach, the specter of past violence looms large. The memories of the 2011 election crisis, which saw post-election violence claim over 3,000 lives, remain fresh in the minds of many Ivorians. The current political climate is tense, with both domestic and international observers expressing concern about the potential for unrest. Calls for peaceful demonstrations and dialogue have been issued by various civil society groups, seeking to prevent a recurrence of past tragedies. The government, however, maintains that the ban is in accordance with electoral laws, citing legal grounds for the exclusion. Despite this, the opposition and its supporters remain undeterred, vowing to continue their protests and to challenge the decision through legal avenues. As the nation braces for the polls, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether peace or turmoil prevails in Côte d'Ivoire.

— Authored by Next24 Live