Cote d'Ivoire: Clashes reported at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny University October 20

Event

At least one person was reported to have been injured on Tuesday, October 20, as students clashed with suspected gang members at Felix Houphouet-Boigny University in the Cocody area of Abidjan. The clashes reportedly erupted on Tuesday morning when a group of people linked to local "microbe" street gangs attacked students at the university campus. At least one of the gang members was subsequently detained by students and handed over to police.

The cause of the unrest is currently unclear, but students at the institution had previously declared a 72-hour strike on Monday, October 19, over tuition fees and other issues. Tensions also remain elevated in the city ahead of the upcoming presidential elections on October 31.

There is a realistic possibility of further unrest around Felix Houphouet-Boigny University in the near term.

Advice

Those in Abidjan are advised to avoid the Felix Houphouet-Boigny University campus in the near term due to the risk of further unrest and should monitor developments to remain apprised of any associated disruptions.