Ivory Coast Begins Demolitions, Threatening Thousands of Homes

Abidjan, Ivory Coast – The government’s urban renewal program has commenced a series of demolition operations that are expected to displace thousands of residents from informal settlements across the city’s outskirts. Officials from the Ministry of Housing announced that the clearances, which began on Monday, target structures deemed illegal under the 2023 land‑use ordinance and are part of a broader plan to expand infrastructure and improve public services in high‑density zones. Preliminary estimates from the Ministry indicate that up to 12,000 people will be forced to relocate, with authorities offering temporary shelters and compensation packages that vary by household size and property value.

Human‑rights groups and local NGOs have raised concerns about the adequacy of the compensation and the speed of the evictions, warning that many families risk losing access to essential utilities and livelihoods. The government has pledged to complete the demolitions within six months while coordinating with international partners to provide resettlement assistance. As the process unfolds, monitoring agencies are set to evaluate compliance with national housing regulations and the impact on vulnerable populations.