Alain Ahimou is a journalist, writer, web activist, and the founder of Micro Libre, a citizen-focused audiovisual media platform committed to investigative journalism. On November 27, 2024, Micro Libre published a report on its Facebook page entitled, “The Reign of the Nudists in Monogaga.” Using hidden camera footage, the journalist highlighted activities of nudists on the beach of the Monogaga forest, and the implications of their activities on the moral values on the locals.
According to Ahimou, just a day after the release of the report, he received an anonymous WhatsApp message warning, “You’ll come to a bad end.” The message forced him to leave his home and take refuge at a friend’s place for safety.
A few days later, on December 12, 2024, during a meeting between indigenous populations of the Monogaga area and local authorities, the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Water and Forests allegedly stated that ‘everyone involved’ (referring to those who contributed or shared information) in producing the report would be imprisoned.
This threat soon materialised: two community leaders (Vincent Djiropo and Dominique Mensah) were arrested. Later, 18 people from the Winnin community who were protesting the arrest and demanding the release of the two were also arrested and detained. These developments heightened tensions surrounding the case and raised serious concerns about civic expression and press freedom.
Ahimou told the MFWA that an activist journalist close to the regime posted online that the creator of the video was being actively hunted. That same day, a well-informed source advised him to urgently go into hiding, as he had become the main target of the authorities in the matter.
On December 18, 2024, the person sheltering Ahimou received a phone call from a stranger claiming to be a police officer. The caller alleged that the host’s phone was a stolen property and requested the address to retrieve it. However, the phone had been a new purchase, suggesting this was a ruse to locate Ahimou’s hiding place.
In the face of these escalating threats, Alain Ahimou left the country to ensure his safety.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) finds the repression around the developments in the Monogaga Classified Forest disturbing. It is unfortunate that the community leaders, members and journalist highlighting the activities that threaten the classified forest end up being arrested and detained, and in the case of Ahimou, threatened.
The (MFWA) condemns the threats against Ahimou’s life which has forced him into exile. We equally condemn the continual detention of the 20 people arrested in connection with their demand for the preservation of the Monogaga forest and demand their immediate release. We call on the authorities to respect and protect the rights of Ivorians to expression, which includes journalistic reporting and protests.
