Abidjan demolitions spark solidarity and debate
Abidjan, 8 June 2026 – The national conversation on Monday centred on the ongoing demolitions and evictions sweeping through Abidjan, the election of new leaders at the UNJCI, and the approaching FIFA World Cup.
Evictions divide opinion
Several newspapers highlighted the human impact of the demolitions. Le Bélier Intrépide praised Euphrasie N’Guessan for her outreach to those displaced, while Générations Nouvelles quoted Pascal Affi N’Guessan as calling the situation “a failure of leadership under Alassane Ouattara.” Opposition voices in Notre Voie accused the government of neglect, stating that “this administration does not govern for Ivorians.”
Le Nouveau Réveil criticised the RHDP’s housing policy, transforming the slogan “A roof for every Ivorian” into a bitter irony with its headline: “No shelter for the poor.” Meanwhile, Le Sursaut investigated evictions in Koumassi Campement, framing it as “a vast conspiracy against the vulnerable.”
Contrasting views emerged: RHDP News reported that emergency measures were approved following a crisis meeting chaired by Beugré Mambé, whereas Le Matin insisted that residents in targeted areas “were duly warned.”
UNJCI elects new leadership
The 12th congress of the Union nationale des journalistes de Côte d’Ivoire (UNJCI) concluded with Marie Laure N’Goran elected as president of the executive council. Headlines celebrated the milestone: Liberté declared “MNL, president!”, while Le Rassemblement echoed the same sentiment with “Marie Laure N’Goran, new president!”
Political and social movements gain momentum
Within the PPA-CI, Sylvie Guéi Doukoula was named national secretary of the women’s league. Le Quotidien d’Abidjan announced her election, while La Voie Originale urged a shift from campaigning to action, and Le Temps quoted the new leader calling on members to “stand ready.”
The RHDP youth wing outlined ambitious plans for membership drives, training, and political diplomacy, according to Le Patriote.
National recognition and tragic loss
Abidjan 24 and L’Essor ivoirien highlighted the vice-prime minister’s recognition as the “best Defence minister in the ECOWAS region for the past decade.” Meanwhile, Soir Info investigated the brutal killing of an artisanal miner in Brou-Akpaoussou (Andé), probing the true circumstances behind the tragedy.
Football fever builds ahead of World Cup
All eyes are on the United States, where the Ivorian national team kicks off its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on 15 June against Ecuador in Philadelphia. Fraternité Matin captured the nation’s mood with “Elephants fully embracing the American dream,” while Superpsort struck an optimistic tone: “Elephants: a World Cup of hope.”
Other notable developments
Tensions surfaced within the Chamber of Kings and Traditional Chiefs in Diabo and Languibonou, while the Minister of National Education announced new placement policies for Year 7 and Seconde students.