Lay Catholic Entity in Ivory Coast Urges “greater humanity” in Forceful Evictions

Abidjan, 03 March, 2024 / 8:50 PM

Members of Sant’Egidio Community in Ivory Coast, who are part of the Rome-based Lay Catholic association dedicated to the provision of social services and arbitrating conflicts, Sant’Egidio Community, are urging authorities in the West African nation to demonstrate care for humanity in the process of evicting citizens from high risk zones.

Since the beginning of February, authorities in the capital city of Ivory Coast, Abidjan, have been carrying out a large-scale eviction operation of people living in high risk zones.

In a Monday, February 26 statement that ACI Africa obtained, members of Sant’Egidio Community in the Ivory Coast appeal for support for thousands of persons affected by the evictions. 

“The Community of Sant'Egidio in Ivory Coast calls for greater humanity and mercy, and for the implementation of a clear policy to support populations in their healthy relocation,” they say. 

Sant’Egidio Community members in Ivory Coast note that “these operations have raised the anger of residents in neighborhoods such as Gesco and Boribana, in the districts of Yopougon and Attécoubé, and even beyond. They have also received mixed reviews from public opinion in Côte d'Ivoire.”

“The Community of Sant'Egidio, always close to the weakest, strongly encourages the government and the District of Abidjan to provide better support for populations already hard hit by the high cost of living,” they further say, and call the Ivorian authorities to “raise public awareness before the operations.”

Underscoring the importance of ensuring everyone's well-being, members of the Sant’Egidio Community in Ivory Coast urge relevant authorities in the country to be “more considerate in caring for all those who have been evicted.”

They say, “A campaign to collect donations for the victims has begun, in order to support so many homeless families and children without school supplies.”

Members of Sant'Egidio in Ivory Coast go on to appeal for donations, including “clothes, bunks, bed sheets, blankets, food kits and various other items in cash”, saying that the items are needed to support people who have been evicted from their homes.

They add, “Volunteers from Sant'Egidio Ivory Coast are also on the field in the Gesco and Boribana neighborhoods in solidarity with the victims, providing moral support, accompaniment and help in moving families to another destination to join a relative or other home.”