Šest članov opozicijske stranke iz Slonokoščene obale je po večmesečnem pridržanju izpuščenih

Six opposition party officials from Ivory Coast were released from detention on Monday after more than nine months behind bars, according to their lawyer. The release followed a hearing before the anti-terrorism chamber in Abidjan, though the exact legal basis for their freedom was not disclosed. The group, members of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), had been arrested between late September and early October 2025, just ahead of the country’s presidential elections. This marks the second round of releases from the PDCI, following the earlier freeing of two other officials in May. The arrests occurred amid heightened tensions during the electoral period, which saw widespread protests and a heavy-handed response from authorities. Several dozen activists and senior politicians from various opposition parties were detained or imprisoned around the time of the polls. Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara won a fourth term in office, securing nearly 90 percent of the vote. Despite the official results, hundreds of civilians were charged with participating in banned demonstrations, and approximately ten individuals lost their lives during the campaign. Ouattara’s administration has consistently denied that the detentions were politically motivated, asserting that the actions were necessary to maintain public order. However, critics argue that the arrests disproportionately targeted opposition figures and were part of a broader effort to suppress dissent. Among those affected were two prominent leaders, Tidjane Thiam, the current head of the PDCI, and former president Laurent Gbagbo, who were both disqualified from running in the election by court orders. The situation in Ivory Coast is part of a wider pattern of political tension across the region. In Gabon, opposition leader Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze has been held in custody since April on charges of fraud and breach of trust related to activities from 2008. His legal team claims the case is politically driven and has sought support from France, which is currently hosting President Brice Oligui Nguema on a three-day state visit. During the visit, discussions are expected to cover economic, cultural, and military matters, though the detention of Bilie-By-Nze is likely to draw increased scrutiny. French officials are under growing pressure to intervene, with Bilie-By-Nze’s lawyers urging Paris to leverage its diplomatic influence to ensure fair treatment. Lawyer Arthur Vercken described the conditions of detention as deplorable, citing confinement in a small cell and limited access to outdoor space. He argued that these measures are intended to undermine the detainee’s mental and physical well-being and called on France to uphold the rule of law. Vercken dismissed accusations of neo-colonialism, emphasizing that France has previously raised human rights concerns with nations beyond its historical sphere of influence. Gabonese authorities insist that the judicial process is independent and that there is no political interference in the case. As the state visit proceeds, the international community will be watching closely to see whether France takes action on behalf of Bilie-By-Nze, while Ivory Coast continues to navigate the aftermath of its recent elections.