On Saturday, October 31, nearly 7.5 million voters will elect their next president. But the tensions between power and opposition worry the people, especially in the economic capital Abidjan or in the interior of the country, as in Bouaké.
In the heart of Bouaké, in the commercial district, companies are always full of customers, reports our correspondent Judith Diarra. In her basket, Keïta Moussa has four bags of rice, a large container of oil and provisions.
Are you buying late from me or preparing for a crisis? Once at the checkout, Keïtase said he was calm about the election. “This shopping is not related to a fear associated with the election. For in Bouaké there is no enmity between the peoples, so we are calm. Yes, the election will go well. ”
At the bottom of this supermarket, Anoko Blandine continues to shop. She, who has gone from almost simple to doubling her usual supplies, admits she fears a period of trouble. “When we hear things here and there, it’s more of a fear of running out of food. So we act. I’m not comfortable with everything that’s happening now. ”
According to some officials from the Bouaké bus station and taxi drivers for motorcycles, tensions have created significant population traffic between areas considered unstable and those considered safer. And point out that sometimes there is a lack of vehicles for certain destinations.
Report: In the commercial district of Bouaké, some of them act as a precaution
Some residents of Abidjan travel to their village
For example, many residents of Abidjan have already left the economic capital to seek refuge in the village for fear of possible violence, our correspondent notes. Sidy Yansane.
Adjamé bus station abounds as usual with people slaloming between minibuses, buses and taxis. But in this election week, agitation is exacerbated by nervousness. Many are fleeing Abidjan, fearing a dramatic recurrence of history as presidential elections approach.
Alassane is a “coxer”, a young person who plays touts by directing passengers to vehicles. “People are scared. In a week like this, it has traveled. They travel because of uncertainty. To go to San-Pédro or Sassandra you have to pay at least 12,000, it is expensive. Before it was 5,000, we now pay 12,000. “
But demand does not follow supply. Result: there is a lack of buses to transport everyone. Jean-Marie has been waiting for her bus for two hours. He travels to his village in Toumodi, in the center of the country. Let his family be behind him and let him think more confidently in Abidjan.
“In general, the previous elections create riots, they enter homes, men seize. That is why we need to make men safe, we will not do anything against women and children. “
While some leave, others who had already lost everything during previous crises prefer to stay to protect their property in the event of violence.
Protection: Some Abidjans prefer to leave the city
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