Côte d’Ivoire: Abidjan to host Francophone Games July 21-30

Event

The city of Abidjan will host the Francophone Games from Friday, July 21, through Sunday, July 30. Around 4000 athletes from 84 French-speaking countries are expected to participate in the games. Expect increased security measures throughout the city during the event, including security checkpoints and potential road closures. Crowded conditions and traffic disruptions are also expected, particularly at the Port Bouet Airport (ABJ) due to an anticipated influx of event spectators into the city.

Context

This is the 8th Francophone Games, which is held every four years.

Local authorities are on guard against persistent security concerns, as the Games are taking place amid ongoing high tensions in Ivory Coast between demobilized rebels demanding unpaid bonuses and the government. Gunfire was reported at military bases in Abidjan and Korhogo on July 15. On July 9, the former rebels erected roadblocks leading into the city of Bouaké. The most recent soldier mutiny over unpaid bonuses began on May 12, with disgruntled soldiers firing shots into the air in Bouaké and taking control of the national military headquarters and the Defense Ministry in Abidjan. At least 20 people were reportedly injured and one killed in associated violence during the five-day long mutiny. On May 16, an agreement between the mutineers and the government was reached, putting an end to the violence. Soldiers launched an earlier mutiny on January 6 over low wages and unpaid bonuses supposedly owed to the soldiers after the 2010-2011 post-electoral crisis. Calm was temporarily restored after an agreement between mutineers and the government was reached on January 7.

Ivory Coast experienced a drawn-out political crisis from 2002 to 2011. Since 2011, around 6800 former fighters throughout the country have been demobilized

Advice

Individuals present in the country are advised to keep abreast of the situation, to remain vigilant, and to adhere to instructions issued by local authorities or their home governments. Allow additional time to travel and expect crowded transportation conditions.

On a separate note, due to tensions between ethnic groups and occasional outbreaks of deadly violence, some Western governments advise against nonessential travel to the southwestern border areas with Liberia (Bas-Sassandra, Haut-Sassandra, Dix-Huit Montagnes regions).