In Response to Calls for Mobilization by the Ivorian Opposition: Government Warns, “Disorder Will Not Be Tolerated”

At the end of the Council of Ministers chaired by President Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday, March 23, 2025, in Abidjan-Plateau, the Ivorian government issued a firm response to recent mobilization efforts announced by political opposition groups. “Disorder will not be tolerated. This is not a threat, it’s advice,” declared government spokesperson and Minister of Communication, Amadou Coulibaly, during the traditional government press briefing.

As members of the African Peoples' Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) and the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA) multiply calls for mobilization, the government stressed the importance of maintaining stability. “The PPA-CI and PDCI MPs are playing their roles as opposition parliamentarians—I won’t criticize their stance. But what I can assure you is that disorder will not be tolerated,” emphasized Coulibaly.

He also addressed comments made by former President Laurent Gbagbo, who called for public mobilization during a rally held in Dabou. According to the government spokesperson, only peaceful actions will be accepted: “I hope that this call is part of a logic of peace and construction. If that’s the case, there will be no problem. But disorder, on the other hand, will not be accepted.”

Asked about PDCI-RDA President Tidjane Thiam’s decision to take his case to the ECOWAS Court of Justice to challenge a court ruling removing him from the provisional electoral list, the Minister of Communication praised the move as democratic. “It is a normal process. In a state of law, every citizen has the right to exercise legal recourse. It is therefore legitimate for him to explore judicial avenues available to him,” he stated.

Amadou Coulibaly concluded by reaffirming President Ouattara’s determination to ensure peace and security across the national territory: “President Alassane Ouattara is committed to preserving peace. And for the past 15 years, Côte d’Ivoire has enjoyed a climate of stability thanks to this commitment.”