Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – The right to protest remains precarious in Côte d’Ivoire, as demonstrated by the recent crackdown on members of the citizen platform Agir pour le Peuple (AGIP). On September 13, 25 AGIP members were arrested in Abidjan while preparing for a peaceful march against the rising cost of living. Five days later, 16 of them were sentenced to six months in prison for "disturbing public order," while AGIP’s secretary general, Armand Krikpeu, remains in detention facing charges that could lead to a 20-year prison sentence.
Despite assurances from the police on September 10 that the march could proceed, authorities issued a sudden ban just a day later. Protesters, dressed in white to signify their peaceful intent, were reportedly met with violence. AGIP had planned to demand reductions in food and electricity costs, an end to forced evictions in Abidjan’s informal settlements, and political dialogue ahead of the 2025 presidential election.
The Abidjan police have yet to comment on the arrests, while rights groups and opposition voices criticize the government’s heavy-handed approach, warning that stifling dissent could lead to deeper unrest.
Please note:
This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin.
Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.
