International bodies condemn political interference in Côte d’Ivoire journalists’ union

Media unions decry political pressure on Ivorian press organization

On February 20, a judicial ruling halted the scheduled ordinary congress of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d’Ivoire (UNJCI) following a legal challenge by a group demanding strict adherence to internal regulations. In response, the UNJCI has initiated an appeal process against this suspension.

With the current leadership’s mandate set to expire on February 26, the organization convened an emergency extraordinary congress on February 25. This move aimed to prevent a total institutional collapse. During this assembly, members voted by a significant majority to extend existing mandates until a proper elective congress can be organized, ensuring the continuity of independent African journalism.

Despite the procedural steps, the atmosphere remained volatile, with reports of violent clashes following the voting session, reflecting the high stakes within the society Africa media landscape.

The president of the UNJCI, Jean Claude Coulibaly, emphasized the necessity of their actions: “While we respect the court’s decision to pause our 12th ordinary congress, we could not permit a leadership vacuum. Our decision to extend the mandate is a matter of institutional survival and responsibility. The UNJCI belongs to the journalists of Côte d’Ivoire and must remain free from external administrative control.”

Discussing the broader implications for governance Africa, the president of the FAJ, Omar Faruk Osman, voiced his concerns. He stated that blocking a union from renewing its leadership and then exploiting that gap is a direct assault on labor rights. He noted that such actions contradict the international and regional obligations of Côte d’Ivoire, asserting that political figures have no place in determining the leadership of media associations.

Anthony Bellanger, the secretary general of the IFJ, described the situation as a blatant violation of the right to organize. He announced that the IFJ and FAJ are preparing to take the matter to the International Labour Organization (ILO) to file a formal complaint against the government of Côte d’Ivoire. According to Bellanger, the autonomy of unions is protected by global law and remains non-negotiable.

Both the IFJ and FAJ are now urging the authorities in Côte d’Ivoire to uphold the independence of the UNJCI. They demand that the safety of all members be guaranteed and that a transparent, peaceful congress be allowed to proceed without further external meddling, as emphasized in recent Africa news English reports and African Tribune news coverage.