Ivory Coast — Ivory Coast security forces battled hundreds of residents being expelled from an Abidjan district on Thursday to make way for a new road, an AFP journalist said.
A local official in the Adjame district of the west African country’s main city said several people were hurt in the disturbances that lasted several hours.
Deputy director of public security Siaka Dosso said “there were no injured” in the operation that was needed for a one kilometre (0.6 miles) road to connect a highway to a bridge.
An AFP journalist saw hundreds of Adjame residents hurl stones at security forces who fired tear gas in response. At least one mechanical digger was set ablaze.
Dozens of homes were destroyed leaving residents to dig for their belongings.
🔴 #cotedivoire
Émeutes à Adjamé-village (Abidjan)Des émeutes ont éclaté ce jour mercredi 25 juillet 2024 à Adjamé-village dans la ville d’Abidjan.
Les populations s’y opposent au déguerpissement en cours par le district d’Abidjan.
Un Bulldozers à été incendié et des des… pic.twitter.com/ikFsjuSLQo— Leader News🇨🇮 (@LeaderNewsCI) July 25, 2024
“We have lost a lot of things,” said resident Adibo Tajou. One of his neighbours, Rosine Adou, said her jewellery and clothes had all been “stolen”.
Adamje is one of many traditional villages in the city of six million people where “evictions” have increased since February in poorer districts of the city, especially those prone to flooding.
At least 24 people died in 10 days in floods earlier this year.
A special 300-strong urban disorder force was established in Abidjan on Monday.
President Alassane Ouattara “has instructed us to put the emphasis on the fight against urban disorder, the fight against unhealthy conditions, and the accelerated improvement of living and working conditions for people,” said Abidjan governor Ibrahima Cisse Bacongo at the launch.
🚨🇨🇮Tensions à Adjamé Indénié : Les Jeunes Protestent Contre les Démolitions
Ce jeudi matin à Adjamé Indénié, le district a annoncé son intention de démolir des maisons situées en bordure de voie dans le village d’Adjamé. Cette décision a suscité la colère des jeunes locaux, qui… pic.twitter.com/HvRUOhoBn6
— Zone Presse📰 (@ZonePresse_) July 25, 2024
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Source: AFP
Picture: Unsplash
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