Abidjan’s demolition drives spark debate ahead of ivoirian elections

Abidjan, June 8, 2026 — Today’s headlines are dominated by the ongoing demolition and eviction operations in Abidjan, the election of new leaders within Ivorian journalism, and the nation’s football ambitions at the 2026 World Cup.

Evictions in Abidjan fuel political and social tensions

The wave of demolitions and evictions sweeping through Abidjan continues to stir strong reactions across the political spectrum. One of the most vocal supporters of those affected is Euphrasie N’Guessan, whose solidarity with displaced families has drawn widespread attention. Her stance, highlighted under the headline “Eviction crisis: Euphrasie N’Guessan stands with the victims”, underscores the humanitarian toll of the operations.

Opposition voices, including Pascal Affi N’Guessan, have seized the moment to criticize the government’s approach. In a scathing assessment, he described the situation as “a failure for President Alassane Ouattara”, while accusing the administration of being out of touch with ordinary Ivorians. The sentiment is echoed by other critics who argue that the slogan “One Ivorian, one roof” has failed to materialize, leaving many without shelter.

Meanwhile, government officials maintain that affected populations were given adequate notice before the demolitions. A crisis meeting chaired by Beugré Mambé reportedly led to the implementation of emergency measures, though the effectiveness of these steps remains a subject of debate.

Ivorian journalists elect new leadership

The 12th congress of the Union nationale des journalistes de Côte d’Ivoire (UNJCI) reached its climax with the election of Marie Laure N’Goran as president of the executive council. The announcement was met with enthusiasm in the press, with headlines proclaiming “MNL, President!” and “Marie Laure N’Goran, new president!”

Elsewhere, the PPA-CI held its own elections, with Guéi Sylvie Epse Doukoula emerging as the new secretary of the women’s league. The transition has been framed as a turning point, with calls for renewed activism and unity within the party. Newly elected leaders have urged their colleagues to prepare for the challenges ahead.

Football fever grips Côte d’Ivoire ahead of World Cup opener

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, all eyes are on the Ivorian national team, Les Éléphants, as they prepare to face Ecuador in Philadelphia on June 15. The squad’s campaign has ignited a wave of optimism, with headlines declaring “Les Éléphants fully immersed in the American dream” and “The World Cup of all hopes”.

Other key developments

The traditional leadership in Diabo and Languibonou is facing internal unrest, while the Ministry of National Education has announced significant changes to school assignments for sixth-grade and second-year students.