Ivory Coast Bans Student Unions Following Murders and Police Raids

The government action targets the powerful FESCI group after alleged criminal activities and the deaths of two students.

Authorities arrested 17 suspects linked to the Fédération Estudiantine et Scolaire de Côte d’Ivoire (FESCI) in connection with the murders of two students.
Police raids uncovered weapons and illegal businesses within student housing controlled by FESCI at the University of Abidjan.
FESCI's leadership, including general secretary Sié Kambou, was implicated in the crimes, prompting the government to dissolve all student unions.
Students and former members have reported extortion and violence by FESCI, which has long been accused of criminal activities.
Despite the ban, some doubt that the government's actions will significantly diminish FESCI's influence, particularly in student housing.