By Adonis Byemelwa
The August 9 march organized by the “Common Front” opposition coalition drew significant attention, not only for its political message but for the way it unfolded under close observation. ACTION JUSTICE (AJ), through its Electoral Observation Mission (MOE), deployed twenty observers on the ground.
Their verdict was mixed but telling: while the event passed without physical violence or property damage—a welcome display of democratic discipline—serious concerns emerged over the tone and content of some participants’ words.
AJ praised the government for authorizing the march and commended security forces for their professional, non-confrontational presence. The opposition and its supporters also earned recognition for maintaining order in the streets.
But beneath the calm surface, observers documented troubling verbal excesses: insults directed at the President, inflammatory rhetoric targeting foreign residents, xenophobic remarks, the blending of religion and politics, and deliberate misinformation campaigns. These incidents, though non-violent, struck at the heart of social peace and national cohesion.
From AJ’s perspective, freedom of expression does not grant a license for language that fractures the social fabric. Their recommendations reflect a belief that accountability must follow: justice should identify and sanction those responsible; cybersecurity authorities should push back firmly against online hate and disinformation; political parties should temper their discourse and put the nation’s interests above partisan passions; and activists themselves should embrace civic responsibility, steering clear of words that fuel division.
AJ’s message carries the weight of experience. Founded in 2000, the NGO has long worked to promote national unity, human rights, and responsible use of public platforms, including social media. This latest intervention is part of its long-term mission to monitor Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic process in the run-up to the October presidential elections.
What emerges from their statement is less a dry policy note and more a plea rooted in lived observation: Côte d’Ivoire belongs to all Ivorians, and it is both fragile and precious.
A peaceful march is a step forward, but the quality of the public conversation matters just as much as the order in the streets.
For AJ, protecting the nation means guarding not only against physical violence but also against the corrosive power of divisive words. Done in Abidjan on August 10, their call is as much a reminder as it is a warning—what we say can shape the Côte d’Ivoire we keep.
