In Côte d’Ivoire, the political dialogue between the government and the opposition opened this Monday, December 21, in the morning. Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko received the various parties to calm the spirits following the controversial re-election of President Alassane Ouatarra on October 31, 2020.
as reported from Abidjan, Sidy Yansane
The participants have just closed this first phase of political dialogue. This first contact lasted just over an hour and brought together the main currents of the Ivorian political opposition, the PDCI. [Parti démocratique de Côte d’Ivoire] by Henri Konan Bédié, FPI [Front populaire ivoirien] by Pascal Affi N’Guessan and the EDS Platform, close to former President Laurent Gbagbo. Everyone gathered around Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko.
Upon their resignation, on the side of the government and the opposition, everyone said they were happy with this first exchange, which is moving in the direction of political appeasment, after the re-election of President Alassane Ouattara. to a third period on 31 October, condemned by their opponents. The same political crisis led to the arrest of several opposition figures. This is the case with Pascal Affi N’Guessan, still detained, and Maurice Kakou Guikahué, number two in the PDCI, currently in hospital in Paris after heart complications during his detention.
The Election Commission at the center of the discussions
The main purpose of this dialogue is first and foremost to prepare for the legislative elections planned for the first quarter of 2021 with the still hot topic of the Independent Electoral Commission, which opponents still define as subordinate to power. This is the point discussed today, although neither party provides details on the exchanges. The CEO by the RHDP, the ruling party, Adama Bictogo, confirms that all assignments necessary to continue the dialogue will be installed by the end of the year.
But over this election deadline hover other topics, which are presented as emergencies for the opposition. Namely, the release of its activists and political leaders as a prerequisite for any dialogue. A first contact has therefore just been made in the presence of all opponents. To see in which direction these debates will develop in the coming days.
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