Ivory Coast Cracks Down on Protesters Amid Authoritarian Power Grab Ahead of Election

As the Ivory Coast approaches a crucial presidential election, the country finds itself mired in a troubling spiral of repression and political turmoil that raises serious alarms for the future—not only of the nation but also for American interests in West Africa.On Saturday, security forces arrested at least 237 protesters who courageously took to the streets opposing what many activists describe as the authoritarian drift under President Alassane Ouattara. This crackdown followed an official ban on all marches in Abidjan, justified by authorities as necessary to maintain "order" during the election period—a thinly veiled excuse to silence dissent.Why Is Washington...