Four people died and several others were injured in a stampede following a major political rally in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital Abidjan on Sunday, a senior ruling party official confirmed Wednesday.
The incident occurred outside the 60,000-capacity Ebimpé Stadium after a packed rally organized by the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), the party of President Alassane Ouattara. During the event, Ouattara announced he would make a decision “in the coming days” regarding his candidacy for a fourth presidential term in October’s election.
“The stampede happened when people were leaving the stadium to go home,” said Amédé Koffi Kouakou, president of the RHDP congress organizing committee and Minister of Equipment and Road Maintenance. The party has covered all medical expenses for the victims.
Kouakou expressed his “deepest condolences to all victims” and wished “good recovery to those who were injured.” Employment and Social Protection Minister Adama Kamara, who visited injured patients at Anyama Hospital, also extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over what was intended as a show of strength for the ruling party ahead of the presidential election. The RHDP had filled the stadium to capacity, demonstrating significant support for Ouattara’s potential candidacy.
Regarding the president’s upcoming decision on seeking a fourth term, RHDP spokesperson Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani called on Ivorians to remain “calm and serene.” He reaffirmed the party’s confidence in Ouattara, stating: “President Alassane Ouattara is our candidate. We have complete faith in him.”
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about crowd management at major political events in the West African nation.