The political movement ADCI has strongly criticized the sudden travel ban imposed on its president, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, preventing him from boarding a flight to Canada on May 11, 2026. In a formal statement, the party described the measure as an attempt at political humiliation and demanded urgent clarification from authorities, emphasizing that such restrictions violate citizen rights and human dignity.
a well-planned trip interrupted at the last minute
Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, leader of the political movement ADCI, was set to embark on a high-profile tour across North America to mobilize support among the Ivorian diaspora. The trip, announced during a public seminar in Nantes, France, in March 2026, was scheduled from May 12 to May 26, with his return to Abidjan planned for May 27.
On the evening of May 11, 2026, at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine completed all departure formalities without any indication of a travel restriction. However, just 20 minutes before his scheduled boarding, a police officer approached him and led him to the airport commissioner’s office. There, he was informed by the commissioner that the Attorney General had personally instructed him not to allow the ADCI leader to leave the country, despite no prior notification.
Despite multiple attempts to contact the Attorney General directly, the leader received no further explanation. After waiting for over an hour in police custody, he was eventually permitted to return home as his flight departed at 9:10 PM.
ADCI rejects the official justification
The ADCI party has expressed outrage over the lack of transparency and the sudden nature of the restriction, which was implemented without formal notification to the individual or his legal representatives. According to ADCI, the Attorney General’s office had previously lifted all restrictions on Assalé Tiémoko Antoine on April 23, 2026, following a brief period of detention that ended on April 22.
ADCI emphasized that its president has always demonstrated a commitment to the rule of law and has no intention of evading justice. The party condemned the incident as an attempt to publicly humiliate a political figure and demanded a formal explanation for the travel ban, which it considers a violation of both legal and moral principles.
demands for accountability and respect for rights
ADCI has called for calm among its members while vowing to pursue the matter through legal and institutional channels. The party reiterated its belief that public authorities must act with integrity and respect for human dignity, particularly in cases involving elected officials. ADCI also stressed that any restriction on a citizen’s movement—especially one of national standing—must be communicated clearly and officially.
In a statement, ADCI’s Executive Secretary, Roger Youan, urged authorities to provide transparent justification for the measure and ensure that such actions do not undermine public trust in the justice system or political institutions.
background of the case
Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, who had been hospitalized for a week, was discharged on April 25, 2026, and had resumed his duties without incident. Since April 22, 2026, neither he nor his legal team had received any communication regarding restrictions on his movement, nor had he been formally charged or placed under judicial supervision.