Ivory Coast: tensions and clashes in the heart of the capital

This Tuesday, December 4, 2024, the streets of Abidjan woke up to images and sounds that could destabilize even the most stoic Ivorian. The media and social networks were ablaze with a situation that seemed to come straight out of an action movie: clashes breaking out here and there. In the absence of any avenue for dialogue, the country finds itself once again on the brink of the precipice. So what is happening in the belly of Côte d'Ivoire?

Clashes: A brutal awakening

The images of the day were marked by scenes of chaos. Groups of demonstrators, armed with slogans and banners, tried to make themselves heard, but it was the exchange of projectiles and tear gas that unfortunately monopolized the spectacle. The police and the demonstrators seem engaged in a macabre dance, where each tries to take precedence over the other. What is supposed to be a democratic expression has turned into a verbal and physical arms race.

Social networks in turmoil

You don’t have to look far to understand the extent of popular anger; social networks, like modern amphitheaters, quickly filled with comments and videos. Each tweet, each Facebook post becomes a weapon in the hands of those who want to make their voices heard, but beware of disinformation. In this deluge of information, it is difficult to discern the true from the false, and the risk of manipulation has never been so present.

Towards a peaceful resolution?

With tensions rising, the question arises: will the protagonists find a way out of this impasse? Calls for peace are more than a necessity; they must be transformed into concrete actions. Côte d’Ivoire has already taken this tumultuous path in the past, so it is urgent to put solutions in place to avoid falling into chaos again.

United, civil society and organizations are called to act and remind leaders that force does not solve anything. In these uncertain times, only constructive dialogue can restore peace and trust between the different components of the nation.