The political movement ADCI has strongly condemned the sudden travel ban imposed on its president, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, who was prevented from boarding a flight to Canada on May 11, 2026. In an official statement, the party described the measure as an attempt to humiliate a political figure and called for urgent clarification regarding this restriction, which it considers a violation of the citizen’s fundamental rights and dignity.

Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, leader of the Mouvement Politique Aujourd’hui et Demain la Côte d’Ivoire (ADCI), was scheduled to embark on a North American tour to strengthen the movement’s presence within the Ivorian diaspora. This trip, announced during a public seminar in Nantes in March 2026, was planned from May 12 to 26, with his return to Abidjan set for May 27.

On the morning of May 11, 2026, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine arrived at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan to complete all departure formalities. However, just 20 minutes before his scheduled flight, a police officer approached him and escorted him to the airport commissioner’s office. There, he was informed by the commissioner that the prosecutor had instructed authorities to prevent his departure, with no prior notice given to him or his legal representatives.

Despite multiple attempts to contact the prosecutor’s office, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine received no official explanation. He was held in police custody until the flight’s departure at 9:10 PM before being allowed to return home freely.

Key timeline of events:

• April 22, 2026: Assalé Tiémoko Antoine was released from police custody by the deputy prosecutor, Abou Sherif, who confirmed that all restrictions on his freedom of movement had been lifted.
• April 25, 2026: He was discharged from hospital after a week of medical leave, resuming his political activities.
• May 11, 2026: Despite no prior notification of any travel restrictions, he was barred from boarding his flight to Canada.

ADCI’s stance:

ADCI has expressed deep concern over this incident, which it views as a deliberate attempt to humiliate its president. The movement emphasized that Assalé Tiémoko Antoine is a committed republican who has never evaded justice and fully respects the country’s institutions. ADCI insists that any restriction on a citizen’s freedom—particularly an elected official—must be formally and transparently communicated.

The party has called on its members to remain calm and await further updates on the situation. It has also urged authorities to uphold the principles of dignity and respect in the exercise of public action, ensuring that such measures are applied with the necessary transparency and fairness.