Ivory Coast Cracks Down on Student Unions After Murders, Extortion Allegations
The Ivorian government has dissolved all student unions nationwide following the murders of two students, Khalifa Diomandé and Zigui Mars Aubin Déagoué, allegedly linked to the influential Ivory Coast Student and School Federation (Fesci), The Street Reporters Newspaper gathered.
Investigations uncovered shocking evidence of Fesci’s involvement in organized crime, including an underground tunnel used for torture and a brothel at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan, Al Jazeera reported.
According to media sources, students in Ivory Coast reported widespread extortion, with many forced to pay excessive fees to Fesci members.
“I was supposed to pay $100 per month for my room, but they were forcing me to pay $250 per month. There was no other option. Everyone feared them,” Jose Aristide, a student, told the BBC.
The Security Council of Ivory Coast conducted raids in Abidjan and Bouaké, seizing over 100 machetes and grenades, and expelled 5,000 undeclared residents from university campuses, reports Reuters.
The ban on student unions was met with celebrations, with many welcoming the move as a step towards restoring peace on campus, sources say.
According to Human Rights Watch, Fesci’s history is marred by controversy, with former leaders including Guillaume Soro, a rebel leader turned prime minister, and Charles Blé Goudé, a former youth minister accused of human rights violations.
The Ivorian government’s decision aims to address the growing insecurity in universities and protect students. “We will not tolerate any form of violence or extortion on our campuses,” said a government spokesperson, Xinhua reports.
As Ivory Coast moves forward, addressing the root causes of violence and ensuring university safety remains a priority. The international community is watching, with the United Nations welcoming the government’s efforts to promote stability and security, the UN News observed.
Sources: BBC, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Human Rights Watch, Xinhua, UN News.
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