IDU Statement on Political Repression in Côte d’Ivoire

The International Democracy Union (IDU) strongly condemns the ongoing political repression targeting our member-party, the PDCI-RDA, in Côte d’Ivoire.

In recent weeks, five PDCI-RDA youth leaders, including Jean-Paul Djabia Kouakou Kouassi, Emmanuelli Blé, and Jean Philippe Attoh, have been arbitrarily arrested and detained under dubious charges simply for exercising their right to free expression and peaceful political participation. These arrests—some carried out without proper identification or legal procedure—represent a clear attempt to intimidate and silence democratic voices ahead of the October 2025 presidential election.

The IDU stands in firm solidarity with the PDCI-RDA and calls for:
🔹 The immediate and unconditional release of all detained PDCI-RDA youth leaders.
🔹 An end to all acts of harassment and intimidation of opposition figures.

🔹 The re-opening of the electoral process to ensure the participation of all eligible candidates, including PDCI-RDA Leader Tidjane Thiam, who has been unjustly excluded from the electoral roll.

We urge Ivorian authorities to uphold democratic norms, guarantee political freedoms, and ensure a fair, transparent, and inclusive electoral process.

#IDU #PDCIRDA #CôtedIvoire #DemocracyUnderThreat #LetThemRun