Ivory Coast Faces Renewed Political Tensions Ahead of 2025 Presidential Election
The disqualification has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the Catholic bishops of Ivory Coast, who have called for transparent and inclusive elections to prevent a recurrence of the violence that marred previous polls. The 2010 election dispute between then-President Laurent Gbagbo and challenger Alassane Ouattara led to a civil war that claimed over 3,000 lives. Gbagbo's refusal to concede defeat and the subsequent power struggle highlighted the fragility of the nation's democratic institutions.
The upcoming election is further complicated by uncertainties surrounding President Ouattara's intentions. Having controversially secured a third term in 2020 following the death of his designated successor, Ouattara has yet to announce whether he will seek a fourth term. His potential candidacy could exacerbate existing tensions and undermine efforts to foster national reconciliation.
Adding to the complexity is the candidacy of Laurent Gbagbo, who has been nominated by the African Peoples' Party – Côte d'Ivoire . Despite his acquittal by the International Criminal Court in 2019, Gbagbo's eligibility remains in question due to a domestic court conviction. His return to the political arena has reignited divisions, with some viewing him as a symbol of resistance, while others see his involvement as a potential trigger for renewed conflict.
Foreign influence is also a growing concern. Analysts have noted Russia's increasing engagement in West Africa, including support for Gbagbo's PPA-CI party. This involvement raises questions about the extent to which external actors may seek to sway the election's outcome, potentially undermining the sovereignty of the electoral process.
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These houses are not just stones; they hold memory, history – social, political, and cultural,' said Ali Mazraani, a historian from Nabatieh who has written books on the city's heritage. 'This house, unfortunately, is now in ruins, having been destroyed by recent Israeli attacks,' he said, standing by the ruins of what was another famous home in Nabatieh, this one belonging to the Shaheen family, with white and blue floor tiles scattered across the site. He showed a colour photograph of the home as it was - a stately white villa with a colonnaded front, sitting amid lush lawns. 'We lost a large part of our social, cultural and heritage memory in these raids. We didn't just lose stones; we lost a part of our memory that has vanished and disappeared. 'Only a small minority have rebuilt at their own expense. Without urgent action, more of these houses could collapse and vanish forever,' said Mr Mazraani. The El Fadl home retains its grandeur despite the damage suffered, and is being restored through the efforts of its current owner. 'Two air strikes caused major damage,' said Kamel Jaber, a local journalist. 'Its new owner vows to restore it, making it a landmark named after Mohammad Bek El Fadl.' Whatever restoration is taking place in Nabatieh is largely through private initiatives. Lebanon was already in an economic crisis before the war, and the government is unable to bear the estimated $11 billion cost of rebuilding from the extensive damage caused by Israel across the country's south and east and in the capital, Beirut. Foreign funding to help the reconstruction effort has yet to materialise, being conditioned on Lebanon undertaking systemic reforms. 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