Ivory Coast's pivotal election

By Tidjane Thiam

When I declared my intention to run for the presidency of Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year, I had specific ideas about what the campaign would involve: extended trips to connect with voters in rural communities, lively discussions with my rivals on national TV, and late evenings analyzing poll results.

Six months on, those hopes now feel outdated. As the October presidential election draws near, the voting system is mired in continuous court disputes. Rather than connecting with voters during the campaign, I have found myself spending too much time in conference rooms, surrounded by legal consultants.

In May, my name was taken off the ballot following a court decision stating that the French citizenship I possessed when I declared my candidacy made my Ivorian citizenship invalid. This judgment applied a legal rule that had been in place since 1961 but had never been used against any person with dual nationality. Consequently, I was deemed ineligible to run for or serve in high office.

Even though I gave up my French citizenship in March, the Independent Electoral Commission (ICE) argues that it was too late and maintains that there isn't enough time before the October presidential election to add my name back to the ballot. This stance is particularly puzzling, considering I am not a minor candidate. In 2023, I was chosen as the leader of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast-African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the nation's leading opposition party, with 96.5% of the delegates' votes. Multiplepollssuggest I could defeat the President in a one-on-one raceAlassane Ouattara, should he decide to seek a fourth term.

I am not the sole opposition figure being pushed out of the contest. The recently completed electoral list also excludes former President Laurent Gbagbo, his long-time associate Charles Blé Goudé, and exiled former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro. Along with my disqualification, these exclusions have caused many analysts to doubt if the October election can genuinely be seen as fair.

Currently, the most probable situation is that Ouattara—should he declare his plan to run for re-election—will encounter minimal or no serious competition in his effort to secure a fourth consecutive term. This result would be detrimental to Côte d’Ivoire, significantly speeding up the nation's movement toward a one-party system, or even a one-person regime.

It comes as no surprise that Ouattara's government rejects any claims of judicial interference. However, these rejections have not eased the increasing worries of the public, who believe the legal system is being used as a tool to suppress any opposition leader who could potentially win the presidency.

Certainly, the emergence of electoral authoritarianism is not exclusive to Côte d’Ivoire. Similar strategies have been observed in other nations, where judicial systems are utilized to suppress dissent and maintain the existing order. However, Côte d’Ivoire's recent turbulent history heightens the risk. Particularly, a contested election in 2010 led the country into a violent civil conflict that resulted in the deaths of at least 3,000 individuals.

It is our responsibility to our people to improve. This is why I am urging for patience and requesting the United Nations Human Rights Committee to examine my situation.

The major tragedy is that the present wave of legal attacks is shifting focus away from the pressing challenges confronting Côte d’Ivoire. In a nation where life expectancy is merely62 years– lower than in both Liberia and Mauritania – we need to concentrate on restoring our healthcare system. Considering Ivorian schoolsrank13th among 14 French-speaking African nations in mathematics, addressing our flawed education system must become a top national concern. And Côte d’Ivoire'srecent additionBeing placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s Grey List concerning money laundering should lead to a meaningful conversation about crime prevention and financial openness.

Rather, we are stuck in a false legal system, moving towards fake elections and increasing authoritarian rule. A tiny group has been permitted to damage our institutions and use the state's tools to silence civil society.

There is no proper method to govern a nation. Following our present path, Côte d’Ivoire faces the possibility of falling back into the challenges of previous years. Only a genuinely democratic Côte d’Ivoire can provide the stability needed to advance the country and create long-term prosperity for its citizens.

In an area where poverty and uncertainty have frequently been the standard, I feel that Côte d’Ivoire has the ability to emerge as a symbol of advancement. However, if we allow the foundations of democracy to weaken, we risk missing out on this chance.

Tidjane Thiam serves as the leader of the Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast-African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA).

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

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The BRICS Dilemma: Growing Power, Slow Gains

Despite internal conflicts and a lack of strong leadership affecting the events, this week'sBrics summit in Brazilconveyed a clear message: the world's developing economies are determined to define their own future, aiming for agreement where there was previously only Western control.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, leaders of Brics nations expressed concerns about the risks to the global economy from the "unselective" application of tariffs and the "increase in trade-limiting measures" — subtle hints at the US President.Donald Trump'unique approach to trade policy - while also criticizing the latestU.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran.

The group of 10 members - featuring founding countries like China, Russia, and India, along with recent additions such as Iran, Egypt, and Indonesia - currently encompasses almost half of the global population and contributes approximately 40 percent of the world's economic output.

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Developed two decades ago as a platform for quickly growing economies, Brics has transformed into what many now see as a Chinese-dominated alternative to the Western system.

The examination is whether the classification aligns on significantly more than it diverges.

Sarang Shidore, director of the Quincy Institute's Global South program

Experts highlight Sunday's joint statement as proof that Brics may still evolve into "a competing framework to a US-dominated global system," while warning that the alliance's increasing variety poses its biggest obstacle.

"The test lies in whether the grouping agrees on significantly more than it disagrees regarding the items on its agenda," said Sarang Shidore, director of the Global South programme at the Quincy Institute, a Washington-based think tank. He noted that Brazil has demonstrated considerable diplomatic ability in facilitating agreement on both the bloc's condemnation of attacks onIranand the summit's concluding statement, despite the internal disagreements that came with Brics' swift growth.

One of the bloc's most sensitive agreements came in its demand for a peaceful two-state resolution to the Israel-Palestine dispute. Although Iran has consistently argued thatIsraelshould be destroyed, an Iranian diplomatic source cited by Agence France-Presse stated that Tehran's "concerns" had been communicated to Brazil, although it did not go as far as rejecting the joint statement.

To be regarded with seriousness, Brics needs to go beyond words, enhance its internal unity, and produce "measurable external influence," as stated by Mihaela Papa, a senior research scientist at the MIT Centre for International Studies.

"Some leaders chose not to participate or were hesitant to join the summit," she said during an interview with This Week in Asia, pointing out ongoing disagreements regarding reforms to the UN Security Council and the lack of consistent support among nations during emergencies.

Nevertheless, Papa acknowledges the bloc for fostering agreement on development finance, global health, climate change, and artificial intelligence: "issues where the Trump administration's involvement in multilateral efforts has decreased."

"If Brics demonstrates greater commitment, its reputation will increase," she stated.

'A Russo-Chinese duopoly'?

Chinese President Xi Jinpingwas notably absent from this year's Brics summit - the first time he has missed since coming into power over a decade ago - with PremierLi Qiang attending instead.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, being sought by the International Criminal Court for the 2022 incidentinvasion of Ukraine, was also notably missing. As a party to the Rome Statute, host country Brazil would have been required to execute an arrest.

Although there are these gaps and varying perspectives, the impact of Brics remains widespread.

"Brics is becoming the most significant link for an alternative framework to the US-dominated system — not anti-American, but still involved in areas where the US is increasingly absent," Shidore stated, highlighting development finance, protecting the multilateral trading system, and increasing access to health and climate solutions.

However, the group's tangible accomplishments are limited, primarily focused on theNew Development Bank, which supports infrastructure and sustainable development throughout the Global South. "A group as varied (as Brics) will require more time and a clearer focus to enhance its provision of solutions in a world that is becoming more divided," Shidore remarked.

The establishment of a Brics "guarantee fund" aimed at reducing financing expenses and drawing additional private investment into important development initiatives—rumored to be under consideration—would highlight "the kind of prompt, solution-oriented action that many emerging economies increasingly perceive as lacking in G7 or NATO processes," noted Jamil Ghani, a doctoral student at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, whose areas of research include foreign policy.

However, demands for more inclusive governance continue. Brazil has encouraged the New Development Bank to expand its rotating leadership beyond the five original Brics members— a step that Jamil stated would "help eliminate the image of a Russo-Chinese partnership and make Brics more appealing to Asean countries."

As long as Brics continues to push for moving away from the dollar, it will stay on his (Trump's) list of concerns.

Mihaela Papa, an expert in international relations

The United States is also increasing the pressure. Earlier this week, Trump warned thatany country implementing "anti-American strategies"engaging with Brics would encounter a 10 percent tax on exports to the United States — the initial instance where an American president has directly highlighted Brics as a collective. "As long as Brics continues its efforts to reduce reliance on the dollar, it will stay in his focus," Papa mentioned, alluding to the group's goal of shielding its economies from Western sanctions and trade conflicts.

Ghani mentioned that Trump's warning probably would push new Brics members like Indonesia, Egypt, and the UAE to consider the advantages of expanding their economic portfolios versus the potential dangers to their access to the US market.

He forecasts that the outcome will likely be a collection of subgroups within Brics - progressing at varying rates on topics like e-customs, local-currency transactions, and AI regulations - instead of a single, cohesive approach.

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This piece was first published in the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), a top news outlet covering China and Asia.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Modi's Grand Welcome in Trinidad & Tobago: Connects with Indian Diaspora

Port of Spain [ Trinidad and Tobago ], July 4 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival in Port of Spain , as he began his first official visit to Trinidad and Tobago .The people of Trinidad and Tobago greeted PM Modi with enthusiasm, dancing to the beat of drums and showcasing traditional music and performances that reflected a blend of local and India n culture.Modi also interacted with members of the India n diaspora who had gathered at Piarco International Airport to welcome him. Many had been eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the India n Prime Minister.This is Modi's first visit to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister. He was received at the airport by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar , along with 38 ministers and four Members of Parliament. The visit is taking place at the invitation of Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar.During his two-day stay from July 3 to 4, PM Modi is scheduled to hold talks with President Christine Carla Kangaloo and Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.The High Commission in Port of Spain welcomed him with a post on X: "Welcome to Trinidad & Tobago, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji!!"Earlier, Former Permanent Secretary at Trinidad and Tobago 's Ministry of Agriculture, Dev Duggal expressed enthusiasm on PM Modi 's visit, saying he's "proud" that the India n PM is visiting Trinidad and Tobago ."We are very proud that PM Modi is visiting Trinidad and Tobago . This visit has been anticipated for a long time... I was in the Ministry of Agriculture in the Government of Trinidad and Tobago , and then I served as the advisor to the minister... PM Modi 's previous visit was 22 years ago when he came to attend the World Hindu Conference, not as the PM of India . This visit carries a different stature," Dev Duggal told ANI.Duggal also expressed happiness over the Trinidad and Tobago government's decision to honour PM Modi withthe Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), their highest honour. "I am very happy that Trinidad and Tobago has decided to award PM Modi with the highest award. It is done after a lot of consideration... This award will bring both countries together. Both countries respect each other. 50% of the population of Trinidad and Tobago is of India n origin... This visit is beneficial for both countries," he said. PM Modi 's visit to Trinidad and Tobago is part of a broader five-nation tour taking place from July 2 to July 9. His stop in Trinidad and Tobago is expected to boost bilateral relations, with a focus on areas such as digital finance, renewable energy, health, and IT. (ANI)

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Russia Becomes First Nation to Recognize Taliban Rule

The Taliban government said Russia has made a "brave decision" and set an example for others. Moscow said it wants to boost economic cooperation and help Kabul tackle drug-trafficking and terrorism.

Afghanistan's Taliban government said on Thursday Russia had become the first nation to recognize its rule.

The announcement came after Aghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met the Russian ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday.

"This brave decision will be an example for others... Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone," Muttaqi said in a video posted on X.

"We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas," Russia's foreign ministry shared on the Telegram app.

Russia to help Taliban tackle terrorism, drug-trafficking

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said it would help Kabul tackle terrorism and drug-trafficking, while also boosting economic cooperation.

"The move signals that strategic interests will always outweigh human rights and international law," said Mariam Solaimankhil, a former member of Afghanistan's parliament and critic of the Taliban.

Afghanistan has seen decades of instability, including a 20-year war conducted by the US and other forces. This ended when the US withdrew its troops in 2021.

The Taliban grabbed back power in 2021 after ousting the government and have since then imposed strict Islamic law.

Moscow had earlier removed the Taliban from their list of terrorist organizations , and accepted an ambassador from their government.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024 referred to the Taliban as "allies in the fight against terrorism."

They previously ruled the country during 1996-2001, when they were only recognized by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirate and Pakistan.

During this stint, some states such as China and Pakistan have accepted Taliban ambassadors without officially recognizing the Islamic Emirate, as the country is officially known.

The Taliban government has clamped down on civil liberties of Afghans , especially on women and girls for which they have received international condemnation.

Edited by Sean Sinico

Author: Tanika Godbole (with dpa, AFP, AP, Reuters)

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