Former Minister Released After Months in Detention
Former Ivory Coast defense minister Moise Lida Kouassi was released on Tuesday after being detained since August on charges of alleged acts of terrorism, his political party confirmed. Kouassi, who served under former president Laurent Gbagbo, was freed amid growing tensions ahead of the October presidential election.
Sebastien Dano Djedje, executive president of the opposition African Peoples’ Party (PPA-CI), described the release as a relief but noted that the former minister's health is poor. "But his health is not good," Djedje told AFP.
Charges and Arrest Details
Kouassi was charged in August and placed in pre-trial detention on counts including "acts of terrorism," along with 10 other individuals. He was accused of instigating violence that erupted in early August in Abidjan. According to Djedje, other party members remain in prison.
Dozens of activists from opposition parties, including senior officials, have been arrested or jailed in the lead-up to the election. On Monday, digital activist Ibrahim Zigui, an opposition supporter with ties to the PPA-CI, was released on appeal after serving a five-year sentence for "incitement to insurrection."
Political Context and Impact
The release comes as Ivory Coast prepares for the October presidential election, a period marked by heightened political tensions. The opposition has criticized the arrests as politically motivated, while the government has defended them as necessary for national security.
Kouassi's detention had drawn attention from human rights groups, who called for his release. His freedom is seen as a positive step by opposition figures, though concerns remain about the health of those still detained.
