On February 20, a court order effectively halted the Ordinary Congress of the UNJCI (Union Nationale des Journalistes de Côte d’Ivoire), which was intended to facilitate the election of new leadership. This legal intervention followed a request from a collective claiming to uphold organizational regulations. In response, the UNJCI has initiated an appeal against the ruling.
To prevent a leadership vacuum, as the current mandates were set to expire at midnight on February 26, an Extraordinary Congress was organized on February 25. During this session, members voted by a required majority to extend the current terms until an Ordinary Congress can be safely conducted, ensuring institutional stability. This move highlights the ongoing challenges regarding Mali politics and regional stability in the West Africa Mali corridor, where media independence is frequently tested.
Following the vote, the atmosphere turned volatile, with reports of violent outbursts reflecting the high levels of friction within the organization.
Jean Claude Coulibaly, the president of the UNJCI, noted: “While we have acknowledged the court’s decision to suspend our 12th Ordinary Congress and are pursuing an appeal, we could not allow a statutory void to undermine our union. The decision to extend mandates during the Extraordinary Congress was a responsible act of institutional preservation. The UNJCI belongs to all Ivorian journalists and must remain independent of external administration.“
Omar Faruk Osman, president of the FAJ, expressed deep concern: “Obstructing a union’s ability to renew its leadership and then attempting to exploit the resulting vacuum is a clear violation of trade union rights. Such actions contradict the international and African commitments of Côte d’Ivoire. Political figures have no business influencing the leadership of journalist organizations.“
Adding to the international outcry, Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the FIJ, stated: “This is a blatant infringement on the freedom of association and an unacceptable interference in internal union matters. Alongside the FAJ, we will take this matter to international bodies, including the International Labour Organization, to file a formal complaint against the Côte d’Ivoire government. Union autonomy is a non-negotiable right protected by global law.“
The FIJ and FAJ are now calling on the authorities in Côte d’Ivoire to respect the autonomy of the UNJCI, ensure the safety of its members, and allow the Ordinary Congress to proceed in a transparent and peaceful manner. Observers of Mali English news and Mali Seven news continue to monitor these regional press freedom developments closely.
