Following the decision of the electoral body in Côte d’Ivoire to remove Laurent Gbagbo from the electoral list, his supporters have decided to file a candidacy bid in his name for the upcoming October Elections. 

Issues for Côte d’Ivoire to Consider:

• Political tensions are high in Côte d’Ivoire due to President Alassane Ouattara’s decision to run for a third term in office. At least eight people have been killed and about 100 wounded in violent clashes over his decision. Gbagbo’s return is coming at a very delicate time for Ivory Coast which is trying to achieve economic and political stability following the 2010 violence which killed over 3000 people. The same rivals from 2010 will likely face themselves head-on again in the October polls if Mr Gbagbo’s supporters succeed in securing him a place on the ballot. 
• In August, hundreds of pro-Gbagbo protesters demanded that Mr Gbagbo, his ally Charles Ble Goude and former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro who were all on trial at the International Criminal Court be included in the electoral list. But the electoral commission said the three were not included because of criminal convictions and that it will not consider appeals against their exclusion. They have since formed a coalition called “Together for Democracy and Sovereignty.”
• Gbagbo was freed conditionally by the International Criminal Court in 2019 after he was cleared of crimes against humanity. However, he was sentenced in absentia (in Cote D’Ivoire)  for 20 years last November for the “looting” of the local branch of the Central Bank of the West African States (BCEAO) during the post-election crisis. This means he could be facing arrest if he returns to his home country. But even if Mr Gbagbo wants to take the risk and return home, it is almost impossible as he currently does not have a passport and authorities in Côte d’Ivoire continue to stall on issuing him one.