ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire — Côte d’Ivoire’s leading opposition party, the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire–African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), has called for urgent intervention by the United Nations to avert what it describes as a looming “social explosion” ahead of the country’s presidential election slated for October 25, 2025.
The appeal was made in a communiqué issued following a high-level meeting with a delegation from the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) on September 20. The delegation, led by UN Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão, met with PDCI-RDA officials at the party’s headquarters in Abidjan to assess the nation’s political climate amid rising tensions over the electoral process.
According to the communiqué, the party expressed deep concern over what it termed a worsening political environment since its last engagement with UNOWAS in April. It accused the ruling government of systematically eroding democratic norms and obstructing efforts toward a transparent and inclusive electoral process.
Among the key grievances outlined by the PDCI-RDA was Lack of Political Dialogue. The party alleged that the government has refused to engage in “sincere and credible” dialogue with opposition groups, particularly on issues related to the electoral roll, legal framework, and the independence of electoral institutions.
The PDCI-RDA accused the Constitutional Council of being politically compromised, citing the exclusion of prominent opposition figures—including party president Cheick Tidjane Thiam, former president Laurent Gbagbo, and Pascal Affi N’Guessan—from the electoral race.
The communiqué condemned the Independent Electoral Commission for failing to conduct its legally mandated annual revision of the voter list, a move the party claims has disenfranchised hundreds of thousands of citizens.
The party warned that a potential fourth term for incumbent President Alassane Ouattara—whom it accuses of seeking an unconstitutional mandate—combined with the exclusion of key opposition candidates, risks igniting violence reminiscent of the 2010 post-electoral crisis.
The statement also cited a pattern of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and threats targeting opposition leaders and members of parliament, which it described as efforts to suppress political dissent.
Fifteen years after the deadly conflict that followed the 2010 elections, the PDCI-RDA argued that Côte d’Ivoire has yet to achieve genuine reconciliation or lasting peace. The party concluded its statement with a direct appeal to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, urging him to facilitate an inclusive national dialogue aimed at restoring trust and ensuring a credible electoral process.
The PDCI-RDA reaffirmed its commitment to participating in such a dialogue, emphasizing the need for a consensual path forward to safeguard the country’s democratic future.
