Oct 28
Recent Violence on the Rise Against LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Once Accepting Ivory Coast
Jack Solomon READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Abidjan. The capital city of Côte d'Ivoire, otherwise known as the Ivory Coast, is known for many things. According to the United Nations, the city was even once referred to as "the Paris of West Africa." From its vibrant culture scene filled with fashion, dancers, and musicians to its picturesque beaches situated right on the Atlantic ocean, there is a lot to love about this city. To top it off, members of the LGBTQ+ community have long considered this to be a safe haven for self expression amidst a largely intolerant continent.
Presently, the majority of African nations have outlawed homosexuality. Bordering three out of five nations on this list, the Ivory Coast serves as an oasis for LGBTQ+ individuals which has never criminalized homosexuality in their legal code. According to the New York Times, young people who identified in the LGBTQ+ community had generally felt safe going on same-sex dates in Abidjan. Recently, this seems to have changed with a slew of intolerant social media posts arising, fueling acts of violence in the street.
One of these social media offenders is an influencer who goes by General Camille Makosso on Instagram and Tik Tok.
@generalmakossocamille1 LA COTE D'IVOIRE EST REMPLIT DE WOUBI ET DE LELES: « LA CHASSE SERZ BIENTÔT DÉCLARER
♬ son original - GENERAL CAMILLE MAKOSSO
To his audience of approximately 700,000 followers on Tik Tok, he posted the video above which is captured in a screenshot and garnered 99.6k likes. In translation, the caption reads "COTE D'IVOIRE IS FULL OF WOUBI AND LELES: THE HUNT WILL SOON BE DECLARED." Here, woubi and Leles refers to members in the LGBT+ community. Clearly, there is acceptance within this sentiment.
Since this video and others like it were posted, violence against LGBTQ+ individuals has seemingly increased. One of these victims being Franck Blé, a twenty one year old hairstylist who was attacked in his own neighborhood. The New York Times reports that Blé was beaten up and left hurt after being asked "Your friends who behave like women, where are they?" by his attackers.
Luckily-if this term can be applied here-the government continues to remain neutral on the subject of the countries LGBTQ+ citizens. With a presidential election scheduled for next fall, citizens in the Ivory Coast must remember to express their opinion through casting their Vote.
