In Côte d’Ivoire, the demolition of an entire neighborhood in the commune of Koumassi based on a reportedly false authorization has sparked strong reactions from the political class.

On June 3 and 4, an individual identified as Jacques Brou allegedly used official-looking documents to raze nearly 34 hectares of the Campement neighborhood. Overnight, dozens of families found themselves homeless, without businesses or financial means.

The Public Prosecutor has announced the opening of an investigation and ordered the arrest of the person responsible for the demolitions. However, several political actors are calling for a broader probe.

For the PDCI party, led by Tidjane Thiam, Jacques Brou is not the only person involved in the case. The party fears a possible diversion of attention, focusing solely on an alleged executor while shielding potential administrative or political complicity.

“A demolition operation conducted with police presence, heavy machinery, organized teams, repeated interventions on the ground and large-scale destruction cannot reasonably be the work of a single individual. Who financed these operations? Who provided the equipment? Which administrative officials were informed?” questioned Geneviève Manouan, Deputy Executive Secretary of the PDCI.

Similar concerns were raised by Charles Blé Goudé, leader of COJEP, who has hired a lawyer to support the affected families now left homeless and to help them seek compensation. According to him, the objective is to obtain both moral and financial reparations.

“Firstly, to ensure moral justice so that no one is ever dispossessed and pushed into poverty again. Secondly, financial compensation, because very often, when people are evicted, they receive derisory amounts,” he said.