Political Tensions Rise Amid Ivory Coast's Election Season

The African Peoples' Party-Côte d'Ivoire has accused the government of arresting six party members arbitrarily as part of a broader crackdown. Ahead of the presidential election, political tensions are soaring due to the exclusion of key opposition candidates. Interior Minister Vagondo Diomandé disputed the accusations, emphasizing the legality of the arrests.

The African Peoples' Party-Côte d'Ivoire (PPA-CI) has accused Ivorian authorities of 'arbitrary arrests' of six of its members, allegedly signaling a broader crackdown on opposition amid upcoming elections. The party, led by the former President Laurent Gbagbo, claimed the arrests were politically motivated and followed the disqualification of key opposition figures challenging President Alassane Ouattara's fourth-term bid.

Sébastien Dano Djédjé, executive president of the PPA-CI, highlighted during a press conference that party members were taken from their homes in Youpougon under suspicious circumstances. He likened it to an 'abduction' and expressed concern over the government's tactics. Interior Minister Vagondo Diomandé has publicly countered these allegations, presenting a video confession of a party member admitting involvement in a violent attack, which the party vehemently denies.

The controversy underscores the growing dissent in Ivory Coast, where political strife is worsening with the exclusion of opposition leaders from the voter rolls. The nation's electoral history is marred with violence, a reminder of the potential for unrest as Ouattara seeks to extend his tenure beyond the widely disputed terms.

(With inputs from agencies.)