What in the World - Why has Ivory Coast banned student unions?

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The Ivorian government has announced the dissolution of all student unions following the killing of two students, a crime attributed to the powerful Student and School Federation (Fesci).

The group has long been accused of terrorising university campuses across the country, operating a cartel-like system and charging extortionate rents to over 5,000 unregistered students for university accommodation.

During their investigation, authorities claim to have uncovered an underground tunnel used for torture and a secret brothel within Félix-Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan, the nation’s capital.

Multiple senior Fesci members have now been arrested in connection with the murders of students Khalifa Diomandé and Zigui Mars Aubin Déagoué, which occurred in August and September.

The BBC's Nicolas Négoce reports on the union’s vice grip on university campuses and students speak out for the first time about the culture of violence and fear.

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Published on Tuesday, 22nd October 2024.

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