On Saturday, August 9, 2025, a significant demonstration took place in Yopougon as the Common Front of the Opposition, bringing together the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI-RDA) and the African People’s Party – Ivory Coast (PPA-CI), rallied to demand the inclusion of Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo in the upcoming October presidential election.
The march quickly dominated the headlines in Monday’s Ivorian newspapers, revealing sharply contrasting views in the media.
Pro-government newspapers such as Fraternité Matin praised the “exemplary mobilisation and security,” while L’Expression, close to the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), hailed the authorisation of the demonstration as “a lesson in democracy from President Ouattara to the opposition.” In contrast, L’@venir criticised the opposition, saying it had been “caught out by its inconsistencies.”
Some pro-government outlets took a dismissive tone. Le Patriote sarcastically commented, “All that for that,” estimating the crowd at no more than 25,000 from aerial footage. L’Essor described the turnout as “a small audience in an alleyway in Yopougon.”
Conversely, opposition-friendly newspapers celebrated the strong mobilisation. Le Quotidien d’Abidjan, linked to Laurent Gbagbo’s party, declared: “The Common Front shows its strength in Yopougon.” Le Temps spoke of “thousands of Ivorians in the streets of Yopougon,” while La Voie Originale described it as a “massive call for republican dialogue.”
On the PDCI-RDA side, Le Bélier praised a “phenomenal” turnout. Le Nouveau Réveil called it a “historic no from the people to exclusion and a fourth term,” while Dernière Heure Monde condemned both exclusion and the prospect of a fourth mandate, welcoming the united front against these issues.
The protest highlights deep political divisions in Ivory Coast ahead of the October election, as opposition forces mobilise to challenge perceived exclusions and call for greater democratic participation.
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