Several opposition activists were arrested and convicted at the end of February, once again sparking a debate on free speech and freedom of assembly in the country. A few months ahead of municipal and regional elections this autumn, opposition groups and civil society actors are denouncing intimidation attempts and attacks on freedom of expression.
The secretary general of the opposition African Peoples' Party (PPA-CI), Damana Pickass, was summoned by an investigating judge on February 24, suspected of involvement in an attack on a military camp in April 2021. A few dozen party sympathisers gathered outside the judge’s office in a show of support and were met with a large police force.
