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Côte d’Ivoire wary of jihadist threat in north 10 years on from major attack
TL;DR
Côte d’Ivoire remains cautious of jihadist threats a decade after a deadly attack in Grand Bassam that killed 19 people. The 2016 incident left a lasting impact on the nation and its security measures.
Key points
- Côte d’Ivoire is cautious of jihadist threats.
- The Grand Bassam attack occurred on March 13, 2016.
- Nineteen people were killed in the attack.
- The attack included nine foreign victims.
- Local security measures have been heightened since the incident.
Mentioned in this story
Côte d’IvoireGrand Bassam
These days, when she is not organising the annual International Day of Reggae celebrations in Côte d’Ivoire, Rose Ebirim picks up litter scattered on the beach in the historic port town of Grand Bassam, 25 miles east of Abidjan. Both activities have become a form of therapy since the time she saw someone die.
“13 March 2016 was a Black Sunday for me,” she said.
On that day, she saw three gunmen open fire at close range as they stalked three adjacent hotels on the beach in a 45-minute shooting spree. By the time security agencies shot the attackers dead, they had killed 19 people including nine foreigners, and traumatised the entire nation.
Soldiers stand in guard on the beach in Grand Bassam in 2016. Photograph: Luc Gnago/Reuters
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in retaliation for Côte d’Ivoire arresting its men and handing them over to Mali. It was not until December 2022 that an Abidjan court sentenced 11 men – including seven in absentia – to death for their roles in the attack.
“Our forces have strengthened their operational vigilance to ensure that such tragedies never happen again,” the defence minister, Téné Birahima Ouattara, said at a ceremony this March to commemorate the 10th anniversary of what was the first major terrorist incident on Ivorian soil.
Grand Bassam, a Unesco world heritage site and the country’s first capital, forms part of a relatively peaceful three-hour drive to the border with Ghana lined with resort towns that once again cater to residents and tourists.
But up in the north, on the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, the threat of jihadism continues to lurk. Both states have expelled French and American troops in recent years after military takeovers, pivoting to stronger partnerships with Russia instead.
Côte d’Ivoire, now a key western ally for counterinsurgency in the region, stands as a buffer state between the Gulf of Guinea and the core of the Sahel. The violence in its neighbours has driven thousands of refugees into the country’s north.
At the time of the 2016 attack, the insurgency had just emerged in Burkina Faso as a spillover from Mali. Terrorism incidents linked to jihadists have almost tripled in coastal west as armed non-state actors proliferate.
Q&A
What happened during the Grand Bassam attack in Côte d’Ivoire in 2016?
On March 13, 2016, three gunmen opened fire at hotels in Grand Bassam, killing 19 people, including nine foreigners.
How has Côte d’Ivoire responded to the jihadist threat since the 2016 attack?
Côte d’Ivoire has increased security measures and remains vigilant against potential jihadist threats in the region.
What is the significance of the International Day of Reggae celebrations in Côte d’Ivoire?
The International Day of Reggae celebrations in Côte d’Ivoire highlight cultural resilience and community spirit in the face of past violence.
What impact did the Grand Bassam attack have on the local community?
The attack traumatized the local community, leading to ongoing psychological effects and increased security concerns among residents.
