Côte d'Ivoire: Attack at police station in Adzopé August 4

Event

At least 30 unidentified gunmen attacked a police station in Adzopé, located approximately 100 km (60 mi) from Abidjan, overnight August 3-4. According to a local source, the assailants detained police officers, stole weapons, and released some of the prisoners being held at the station. Security forces have reportedly been deployed to the area.

Context

Several such incidents occurred in the past few weeks throughout the country, beginning on July 19 with an attack at the Cocody Police Academy that killed one police officer. On July 29, eight heavily armed men attacked a police station in Fresco and on July 22 gunmen attacked a police station in Azaguié.

Côte d'Ivoire experienced a drawn-out political crisis from 2002 to 2011 but is now considered one of Africa's most promising economies, the largest in francophone West Africa. However, the country's continues to suffer from high sociopolitical and economic issues; numerous strikes and protests as well as several military and police mutinies have occurred since the beginning of 2017.

Advice

Individuals present in Adzopé are advised to keep abreast of ongoing developments and to adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities or their home governments.