Key figures
- 59 deaths: toll from floods in Côte d’Ivoire since mid-May 2026, with over 20 in Attécoubé alone
- 5 targeted zones: Nématoulaye, Djéné écaré, Santé 3, Cité Fairmont and Attécoubé 3
- Timeline: demolition campaign launched July 13, 2026, with heavy machinery deployed through July 24
- Eviction notice: written evacuation order issued to residents on July 10
Municipal cleanup following tragedy
The Attécoubé municipal authorities initiated a systematic demolition campaign on July 13, 2026, targeting homes in high-risk flood zones. This operation aims to curb unregulated urban expansion and mitigate future disasters during the rainy season.
Residents received written evacuation notices on July 10, and by July 13, initial demolition work had begun with minor demolitions and roof removals in the affected neighborhoods.
Five neighborhoods under municipal scrutiny
Attécoubé’s municipal administration has identified five priority zones for demolition: Nématoulaye, Djéné écaré, Santé 3, Cité Fairmont and Attécoubé 3. The official schedule calls for heavy machinery to complete demolitions neighborhood by neighborhood by July 24, 2026.
Work commenced on July 13 and 14 with light demolitions, including the removal of unsafe structures in Cité Fairmont, as observed on-site.
Response to deadly flooding
This municipal intervention follows devastating floods that claimed over 20 lives in Attécoubé just weeks earlier. Nationwide, Côte d’Ivoire has recorded at least 59 flood-related deaths since mid-May 2026, attributed to unregulated housing on flood-prone slopes and inadequate drainage infrastructure.
The torrential rains that struck Abidjan during the wet season triggered deadly landslides and flash floods, disproportionately affecting precarious settlements in vulnerable areas.
Urban challenges in Abidjan
Attécoubé, one of Abidjan’s ten autonomous municipalities, is a densely populated district with a significant portion of low-income residents living in informal housing on unplanned land.
The issue of unregulated urbanization and sanitation in high-risk zones frequently resurfaces in national discussions, especially after each catastrophic rainy season. Local authorities face the dual challenge of ensuring public safety while respecting housing rights amid rapid population growth.
Quarter Restructuring Committees (CREQ) are collaborating with municipal technical and financial teams to oversee the operation’s execution. These community-based groups serve as intermediaries between residents and municipal authorities.
Next steps
The municipality aims to complete demolitions in all five targeted zones by July 24. Plans for supporting displaced families are still being finalized. Attécoubé authorities have commended residents for their cooperation in vacating the sites.
