2 weeks ago
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Ivory Coast authorities person imposed a sweeping two-month prohibition connected governmental rallies and demonstrations conscionable a week earlier a statesmanlike election, successful a determination further restricting absorption activity.
The ban, announced precocious Friday by the interior and defence ministries, applies to each governmental parties and groups but the 5 candidates officially approved to contention the October 25 vote.
It comes amid rising tensions pursuing the exclusion of absorption heavyweights Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam from the race.
Hundreds of radical rallied astatine protests successful Abidjan past weekend, with information forces dispersing crowds. Sporadic unrest, including roadworthy and schoolhouse blockades, has been reported successful respective regions.
Around 700 radical person been arrested implicit the past week, according to nationalist authoritative Oumar Braman Kone, who said telephone information revealed calls for attacks connected nationalist institutions which helium described arsenic “acts of terrorism”.
On Thursday, 26 protesters were sentenced to 3 years successful situation for nationalist bid offences, and different 105 are owed to basal proceedings adjacent week.
The absorption coalition, which includes Gbagbo’s African Peoples’ Party — Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) and Thiam’s Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), has denounced President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a 4th term.
Amnesty International urged authorities to halt “repressing” protests, but Justice Minister Sansan Kambile defended the crackdown, citing nationalist information concerns.
Ouattara faces 4 challengers, including erstwhile curate Jean-Louis Billon and ex-first woman Simone Gbagbo.
AFP
The station Ivory Coast bans protests up of statesmanlike vote appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.
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