by Nurat Uthman
Authorities in Côte d’Ivoire have arrested members of a powerful student federation that is accused of sowing terror on campuses, in a murder investigation after two people including its leader’s main rival were found dead.
Police and prosecutors swooped on six members of the Ivory Coast Student and School Federation (Fesci), one of the country’s student unions, and halted all its activities.
Many in Côte d’Ivoire are hoping this could mean the end of the impunity enjoyed by Fesci, which is accused of reigning unchallenged over campuses in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s biggest city, for years.
The authorities acted following the death in late September of student Zigui Mars Aubin Deagoue, a rival of Fesci’s leader, Sie Kambou.
Deagoue was found dead overnight on September 29 to 30.
A government statement said he had been abducted by individuals identified as members of Fesci.
After a police investigation was opened, officers arrested and detained six members of the union, Kambou included.
The prosecutors said they were being held on charges including murder and criminal conspiracy.
They have also been detained for conspiracy to murder in connection with the death at the end of August of Khalifa Diomande, another student and Fesci member.
