Côte d’Ivoire: political leader assalé tiémoko antoine blocked from international travel

The political movement ADCI strongly condemns the travel restriction imposed on its president, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine. He was prevented from boarding a flight to Canada on May 11, 2026. In an official statement, the party expressed its astonishment at this measure, which was not formally communicated, viewing it as a deliberate act of political humiliation. They demand an immediate explanation for this restriction, which they deem a blatant disregard for a citizen’s fundamental rights and dignity.

On Monday, May 11, 2026, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, who leads the political movement Aujourd’hui et Demain la Côte d’Ivoire (ADCI), faced an unexpected halt to his travel plans. He was scheduled to depart for Canada to commence a political mobilization tour across North America. This incident comes despite earlier assurances: on Thursday, April 23, 2026, Deputy Prosecutor Monsieur Abou Sherif had informed Assalé Tiémoko Antoine that his custody measure was lifted, restoring his full freedom of movement. Having been discharged from the hospital on Saturday, April 25, 2026, the ADCI President had resumed his activities after a week of recovery.

Crucially, between April 22, 2026, and the day of the incident, neither Assalé Tiémoko nor his legal representatives received any official notification of new restrictive measures, such as an indictment or judicial supervision. His planned North American trip was part of a pre-announced strategy to establish ADCI’s presence among the diaspora, a tour publicly detailed during a seminar in Nantes in March 2026 and widely known within the movement’s structures. The journey was slated from May 12 to May 26, 2026, with his return to Abidjan scheduled for May 27.

Upon arriving at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, President Assalé Tiémoko Antoine proceeded calmly through all departure formalities. No information regarding any travel prohibition was communicated to him during this process. However, approximately 20 minutes before his flight’s scheduled boarding, a police officer approached him and requested he accompany him to the airport commissioner’s office.

At the commissioner’s office, Assalé Tiémoko was informed that the Public Prosecutor had issued instructions, stating he “cannot travel” and must notify the prosecutor before any future flights. His subsequent attempts to contact the prosecutor proved futile. He remained at the police premises until his flight departed at 9:10 PM, after which he was permitted to return to his home freely.

The position of ADCI regarding the travel ban

The ADCI political movement expresses profound surprise that, since April 22, 2026, the Public Prosecutor had not informed its president or his lawyers of any restrictive measures against him, until this incident, which appears to be a deliberate attempt at public humiliation. ADCI reiterates that Assalé Tiémoko is a committed republican, deeply respectful of state institutions, and has never harbored any intention of evading justice.

ADCI firmly believes that in any Republic, public action should be conducted with grace and in full observance of human dignity. Furthermore, ADCI asserts that when a restriction on movement is imposed on a citizen (especially an elected official), that individual must be clearly and formally notified of such a measure. Finally, ADCI urges its members to remain calm and composed, promising to keep them informed of all future developments in this matter.

𝐏𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐈
𝐋𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞́𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐞́𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟
𝐑𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐘ouan