Côte d'Ivoire: Eviction operations to begin near Abidjan’s Port Bouët Airport (ABJ) January 20 /update 1

Event

Eviction operations in Adjouffou, the neighborhood surrounding Abidjan's Port Bouët Airport (ABJ), will begin on Monday, January 20, as the first phase in the government's plan to improve security at ABJ by creating a 200 m (650 ft) security perimeter around the airport's fence. This first phase will affect residents within 50 m (160 ft) of the airport's fence; demolition is expected to begin on Monday. The second phase, in which all residents within 400 m (1312 ft) of the airport fence will be evicted, will begin in early March; an estimated 700,000 residents in total will be affected. These security measures come after a teenager was found dead in the landing gear of an airplane that had arrived in Paris (France) from Abidjan on January 8.

Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets near ABJ in recent days to denounce the plan; protests are expected to continue over the coming days.

A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are expected in the area over the near term.

Advice

Individuals in Abidjan are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests due to the risk of violence, anticipate a heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.