Côte d’Ivoire: assalé tiémoko antoine’s canada trip halted, adci decries ‘humiliation’

The political movement ADCI has strongly condemned the travel prohibition imposed on its president, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, who was prevented from boarding a flight to Canada on May 11, 2026. In an official statement, the party expressed its astonishment at this measure, which was never formally communicated. ADCI views this as a deliberate act of political humiliation and demands immediate clarification regarding this restriction, which it considers a violation of fundamental rights and human dignity.

On Monday, May 11, 2026, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, who leads the political movement Aujourd’hui et Demain la Côte d’Ivoire (ADCI), faced an unexpected travel ban as he prepared for a scheduled political mobilization tour across North America. This incident follows a previous event on Thursday, April 23, 2026, when Deputy Prosecutor Abou Sherif had explicitly informed Assalé Tiémoko Antoine that his police custody was lifted and his full freedom of movement restored. The ADCI President was released from the hospital on Saturday, April 25, 2026, and resumed his activities after a period of rest.

Between April 22, 2026, and the present day, neither Assalé Tiémoko Antoine nor his legal representatives received any official notification of a travel restriction, indictment, or judicial supervision. The planned trip to North America was part of a broader strategy to establish ADCI’s presence among the Ivorian diaspora. This tour had been publicly announced during a seminar in Nantes in March 2026, and its details were well-known across all branches of the movement. The journey was scheduled from May 12 to May 26, 2026, with a return to Abidjan set for May 27.

At Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, President Assalé Tiémoko Antoine completed all necessary departure formalities without encountering any issues or receiving any information about a travel ban. However, approximately 20 minutes before his flight was due to depart, a police officer approached him and requested that he accompany him to the airport commissioner’s office.

Upon arrival at the commissioner’s office, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine was informed by the commissioner that the Public Prosecutor had issued an instruction stating he “cannot travel” and that he must notify the prosecutor before attempting any future travel. All attempts by Assalé Tiémoko Antoine to contact the prosecutor proved fruitless. He remained at the police premises until his flight departed at 9:10 PM, after which he was permitted to return to his home freely.

The ADCI’s official stance on this matter is one of deep concern. The political movement expressed its astonishment that since April 22, 2026, the Public Prosecutor had failed to notify its president or his legal team of any restrictive measures, leading to this incident which appears to be a calculated attempt at public humiliation. ADCI reiterates that Assalé Tiémoko is a staunch republican, deeply committed to upholding the institutions of the Republic, and has never harbored any intention of evading justice.

ADCI firmly believes that in a democratic republic, public action must be conducted with integrity and profound respect for human dignity. The movement further asserts that when a restriction on movement is imposed on any citizen, particularly an elected national official, that individual must be clearly and formally informed of such a measure. ADCI urges its members and supporters to maintain calm and serenity, promising to keep them fully updated on all future developments concerning this significant affair.

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