The Ivorian Union of Journalists (UNJCI) faced a critical hurdle on February 20 when a court issued an injunction halting its scheduled ordinary congress, aimed at renewing leadership. In response, the UNJCI filed an appeal while also convening an extraordinary session on February 25 to prevent a statutory vacuum, as the current mandates were set to expire at midnight on February 26.

During the extraordinary congress, delegates voted—by the required majority—to extend the mandates until the ordinary congress could proceed without disruption. This decision underscored the union’s commitment to institutional continuity. However, the vote was followed by violent clashes, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the situation.

Jean Claude Coulibaly, President of the UNJCI, emphasized the necessity of the extension: “We acknowledged the court’s decision to suspend our 12th ordinary congress, but we also filed an appeal. Allowing a statutory void would have severely weakened our organization. The mandate extension voted in the extraordinary congress is a responsible measure to maintain institutional stability. The UNJCI is the collective home of Ivorian journalists and cannot be weakened or placed under provisional administration.”

Omar Faruk Osman, President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), condemned the interference: “Preventing a union from holding its congress to renew its leadership, then exploiting the situation to create an institutional vacuum, is a grave violation of trade union freedom. This contradicts Côte d’Ivoire’s African and international commitments. No political authority has the right to influence or select the leadership of a journalists’ organization.”

Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (FIJ), framed the issue as a breach of fundamental rights: “This is a serious violation of the freedom of association and a blatant interference in the internal affairs of a union. Alongside the FAJ, we will pursue legal action with relevant international and African bodies, including the International Labour Organization, to file an official complaint against the Ivorian government for these abuses. The autonomy of unions is protected under international law and is non-negotiable.”

Both the FIJ and FAJ have called on Ivorian authorities to uphold the UNJCI’s independence, ensure the safety of its members, and facilitate the holding of the ordinary congress under free, transparent, and peaceful conditions.