News

Yesterday, there were fears that tensions would be exacerbated in the Ivory Coast today as
the Opposition party had called for all citizens to stay at home today in protest at
what they consider to be the outgoing president’s constitutionally questionable
third bid for election.  Those who chose to venture out onto the streets might well have faced attack.

According to Michel Bebga of Budd’s Abidjan office, a strong military and police presence
on the streets today has meant that there have not yet been any major outbreaks
of violence and the port is functioning normally.

The Ivory Coast’s elections are due to take place on 31 October 2020 and the outgoing
president’s decision to stand for election once again has rekindled the ethnic
and political conflicts which sparked the 2010-11 civil war.

Since President
Ouattara announced his decision to seek a third mandate in August this year, riots have already resulted in several deaths and many injuries.  Road blocks have been set up and cars have
been burnt.

Budd’s
staff are working from home as far as possible. 
Unfortunately, local telecommunications networks are less reliable in
this pre-election period and clients should not hesitate to call Budd’s Ivory
Coast staff on their mobiles.

Michel Bebga
Mobile: +225 07 62 09 88

Email: michel.bebga@budd-pni.com

Kouame N’da N’guessan
Mobile: +225 04 70 63 10

Email: kouame.nda@budd-pni.cm

Valentin Assouan
Mobile: +225 05 98 36 00

Email: valentin.assouan@budd-pni.com

Kra Koffi
Mobile: +225 05 06 26 02

Email: kra.koffi@budd-pni.com

To facilitate assistance from
our French head offices, please copy all emails to general.marseille@budd-pni.com and
do not hesitate to call (+33 491 33 58 33, AOH 1 84 88 08 41 or our mobiles).

Information provided by Michel Bebga
Director, Budd Ivory Coast