In Côte d’Ivoire, Charles Blé Goudé’s appeal against his removal from the electoral roll has been rejected by the Gagnoa Court of First Instance.

The court cited his previous conviction, which sentenced him to 20 years in prison for acts of torture, voluntary manslaughter, and rape.

According to the ruling, this conviction automatically disqualifies him from voting or standing for election.

The decision marks another major setback for the former youth leader ahead of upcoming elections.