Ivorian politician Assalé Tiémoko blocked from traveling: ADCI denounces political humiliation

The ADCI political movement has strongly criticized the sudden travel ban imposed on its president Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, who was prevented from boarding a flight to Canada on May 11, 2026. In a press statement, the party condemned this unannounced restriction as a deliberate act of political humiliation and demanded urgent clarifications regarding the legality of such a measure.

Key details of the incident

On April 23, 2026, the Deputy Prosecutor Abou Sherif had officially notified Assalé Tiémoko Antoine that the previous week’s garde à vue (police custody) had been lifted and that his freedom of movement was fully restored. The opposition leader had been released from the cardiology institute in Abidjan on April 25 after a week of medical care.

His planned trip to North America, announced during the Nantes seminar in March 2026, was intended to strengthen ties with the Ivorian diaspora. Scheduled from May 12 to 27, the journey included stops in several cities in the United States and Canada. However, the situation took a dramatic turn at Abidjan’s Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport.

After completing all departure formalities without any travel restriction warnings, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine was informed minutes before boarding that the Public Prosecutor had issued an order prohibiting his departure. Despite multiple attempts to contact the prosecutor’s office, no official notification was provided, leaving the politician stranded at the airport until his flight departed.

ADCI’s demands and concerns

The political movement ADCI expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency surrounding this measure. Since April 22, neither Assalé Tiémoko Antoine nor his legal representatives had received any formal notice of a travel ban, nor was he subject to any judicial control or indictment.

The movement emphasized that such restrictions—especially when applied to a public figure like a political leader—must be clearly communicated according to legal procedures. ADCI reiterated that Assalé Tiémoko Antoine is a committed republican who has never evaded justice and has always respected state institutions.

In its statement, ADCI called for calm among its supporters while vowing to keep them informed of further developments in this case. The organization insisted that public action must be conducted with dignity and full respect for fundamental rights, particularly in matters involving citizens’ freedom of movement.

Ongoing developments

ADCI has announced that it will continue monitoring the situation closely and is considering all legal and political avenues to address this incident. The movement has urged its members to remain composed and await further instructions as the case unfolds.