Thousands of opposition supporters marched in Abidjan on Saturday (August 9) to protest the exclusion of key leaders from Ivory Coast's upcoming presidential election and demand political dialogue with the government.

The demonstration, organized by the PDCI and PPA-CI parties, called for the reinstatement of Tidjane Thiam and former president Laurent Gbagbo to the electoral list. Protesters chanted slogans against a potential fourth term for incumbent President Alassane Ouattara and carried banners decrying "arbitrary decisions" affecting the country.

"We are reacting to the fourth term which we will not accept," said one protester, highlighting concerns over alleged abuses of power and human rights violations. Another demonstrator emphasized the need for national unity, stating, "We need to develop a nation... The nation cannot be built with two individuals."

The protest comes after Ouattara, 83, announced his bid for a fourth term in October's election. While his supporters point to economic growth during his tenure, opposition groups argue for more inclusive governance.

Ouattara's previous re-elections have been marked by political tensions and, at times, violence in the West African cocoa-producing nation.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST (AUGUST 9, 2025) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING "WE DON'T WANT A FOURTH TERM"

2. CLOSE-UP OF PROTESTER'S SHIRT READING (French): "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"

3. VARIOUS OF LARGE CROWD OF PROTESTERS

4. BANNER READING (French): "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THIS COUNTRY HAS SUFFERED TOO MUCH FROM YOUR ARBITRARY DECISIONS."

5. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PROTESTER, CAMARADE AKOUNE, SAYING:

"We are reacting to the fourth term which we will not accept. In Ivory Coast, we must say we are a free country and a country of peace, and enough is enough. There is an abuse of power, there is abuse at the legislative level, there is abuse at the constitutional level, and there is abuse of human rights. Our rights are confiscated, we are muzzled, and we are fed up in Ivory Coast."

6. PROTESTERS CLAPPING HANDS

7. POSTERS OF FORMER PRESIDENT LAURENT GBAGBO

8. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PROTESTER, AMANI KACOU DANIEL, SAYING:

"We don't need war, we need to develop a nation, today Ivory Coast needs to be a nation. Whether from the North, South or Center, we need a nation. The nation cannot be built with 2 individuals, the nation is built with all the individuals of the country."

9. SUPPORTERS WITH PPACI PARTY'S FLAG

10. SUPPORTERS CHANTING