The ADCI political movement has sharply criticized the sudden travel ban imposed on its leader, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine, who was prevented from boarding a flight to Canada on May 11, 2026. In a strongly worded statement, the party condemned this unannounced measure, describing it as a deliberate attempt to humiliate a public figure and calling for immediate clarification on the legal grounds for such a restriction.
Timeline of events
On April 23, 2026, the Deputy Prosecutor, Mr. Abou Sherif, informed Assalé Tiémoko Antoine that the previous day’s detention order had been lifted, restoring his full freedom of movement. After being discharged from the cardiology institute in Abidjan on April 25, the ADCI president resumed his duties following a week of medical rest.
His planned trip to North America was scheduled from May 12 to 26, 2026, with a return to Abidjan on May 27. The travel was part of an official campaign to establish ADCI branches within the Ivorian diaspora, a project publicly announced during the movement’s seminar in Nantes, France, in March 2026.
Incident at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport
Despite completing all exit formalities without any notification of travel restrictions, Assalé Tiémoko Antoine was stopped just 20 minutes before boarding. An airport police officer escorted him to the commissioner’s office, where he was informed by the airport commissioner that the Public Prosecutor had ordered a travel ban and that he should be notified before any departure.
All attempts to contact the Public Prosecutor were unsuccessful. He remained in police custody until the scheduled 9:10 PM flight departed, after which he returned home freely.
ADCI’s response
The political movement expressed outrage that no formal notification of the restriction had been issued to either Assalé Tiémoko Antoine or his legal representatives since April 22, 2026. ADCI emphasized that their leader is a staunch advocate for the rule of law and has never evaded justice.
The party stressed that in a democratic state, public action must be conducted with dignity and respect for human rights. ADCI underscored that any restriction on a citizen’s freedom—especially an elected official’s—must be formally and transparently communicated. The movement called on its members to remain calm and assured them of updates on the situation.
For ADCI
Executive Secretary
Roger Youan
