The Ivory Coast government has dissolved all student union associations following the killing of two individuals, allegedly by members of a powerful student group.
President Alassane Ouattara led a National Security Council meeting to authorize the decision. The measure primarily targets the Ivory Coast Student and School Federation (FESCI).
FESCI is accused of terrorizing university campuses in Abidjan, the country’s largest city. Authorities have arrested several members linked to the murders of two students in August and September.
One victim, Zigui Mars Aubin Deagoue, was a rival of FESCI leader Sie Kambou, who has also been arrested as a suspect. FESCI has also been accused of monopolizing the allocation of university housing, controlling prices set by its leaders.
The Security Council reported the arrest of 28 students in Abidjan and Bouake, in the country’s center. Additionally, around 5,000 people have been expelled from student housing.
Authorities have seized machetes and grenades during recent raids. Established in the 1990s, FESCI initially emerged as a protest movement against the ruling party at the time.
Its early leaders included future prime minister Guillaume Soro and Charles Ble Goude, who later became an aide to ex-president Laurent Gbagbo. Both leaders were involved in the political violence of 2010-2011, which resulted in over 3,000 deaths.
