“The political and security context did not make it possible to organize a competitive and credible presidential election”, according to the joint observation mission of the Electoral Institute for a Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) and the Carter Center, an NGO acting for the promotion of democracy, human rights and for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. “The electoral process excluded a large number of Ivorian political forces and was boycotted by part of the population in a volatile security environment,” according to the report.
In the field, obstacles to the normal conduct of the ballot
Forty of the forty-four presidential candidates had been struck down by the Constitutional Council, and the opposition called for “civil disobedience” and boycott, denouncing President Ouattara’s candidacy for a controversial third term. “The election was marked by a large number of incidents and a volatile security environment. Thus, in 6 of the 17 regions observed (out of 31 regions in Côte d’Ivoire, editor’s note), the organization of the vote was strongly impacted with, at a minimum, 1,052 polling stations counted by our observers who were never able to open in those regions, ”according to the report. Just over 22,000 polling stations had been set up across the country, according to the electoral commission. At least five deaths were counted on Saturday in numerous incidents and clashes that mainly affected the southern half of the country, according to an AFP count, a toll that is likely to increase.
Participation disparate
Analyzing the ballot, the observers note that “the observed turnout is mixed and shows strong disparities in the national territory with a high rate in the North, low in the center and in the West and very variable in the south of the country. “. Ultimately, “these problems threaten the acceptance of the results by the population and the cohesion of the country”, warns the observation mission. Before the election, around 30 people had died in violence since the announcement in August of President Ouattara’s candidacy.
Violence resulted in deaths
Four people from the same family died in the fire of their house during unrest Sunday in Toumodi, about forty kilometers from Yamoussoukro, the political capital (center), the day after the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire , we learned Monday from several residents. “During the clashes, several houses were set on fire. Four people from the same family, a young couple, a woman and an elderly lady, are dead, ”said a relative who lives in Toumodi, speaking on condition of anonymity. “About ten houses were burnt down. Two trucks too. Restaurants and maquis shops (open-air restaurant-bars) have been broken. There is significant damage, ”he continued. “The four charred people are being buried,” said another resident while in the cemetery.
According to corroborating testimonies, clashes took place on Saturday, the day of the vote between young people of the local Baoulé ethnic group (reputed to be pro-opposition) and young people of the Dioula ethnic group (from the North, traditionally favorable to President Ouattara ). After a lull, clashes resumed on Sunday in a more violent manner. “Our fear now is that the young people here (Baoulés) do not want to let this crime go unpunished and attack them (the Dioulas),” said one resident.
At least five other people have died in violence since the day of the vote: three in Tehiri (center-west), near Gagnoa, the stronghold of former President Laurent Gbagbo, one in Oumé, also near Gagnoa, and at least one in Tiebissou, near Yamoussoukro, where the mayor reports four deaths. About 30 people died in violence before the poll which was marked by numerous disturbances in the southern half of the country.
What tomorrow?
The country is awaiting the outcome of the election, which is due to be announced soon and which should see the election of President Alassane Ouattara for a controversial third term, as the opposition boycotted the ballot and called for civil disobedience. Côte d’Ivoire fears a new electoral crisis, 10 years after the one that followed the 2010 presidential election, killing 3,000, following the refusal of President Laurent Gbagbo, who had been in power since 2000, to acknowledge his defeat in the face of to M. Ouattara.
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