Ivory Coast security forces battled hundreds of residents being expelled from an Abidjan district on Thursday to make way for a new road, an AFP journalist said.
A local official in the Adjame district of the west African country’s main city said several people were hurt in the disturbances that lasted several hours.
Deputy director of public security Siaka Dosso said “there were no injured” in the operation that was needed for a one kilometre (0.6 miles) road to connect a highway to a bridge.
An AFP journalist saw hundreds of Adjame residents hurl stones at security forces who fired tear gas in response. At least one mechanical digger was set ablaze.
Dozens of homes were destroyed leaving residents to dig for their belongings.
“We have lost a lot of things,” said resident Adibo Tajou. One of his neighbours, Rosine Adou, said her jewellery and clothes had all been “stolen”.
Adamje is one of many traditional villages in the city of six million people where “evictions” have increased since February in poorer districts of the city, especially those prone to flooding.
At least 24 people died in 10 days in floods earlier this year.
A special 300-strong urban disorder force was established in Abidjan on Monday.
President Alassane Ouattara “has instructed us to put the emphasis on the fight against urban disorder, the fight against unhealthy conditions, and the accelerated improvement of living and working conditions for people,” said Abidjan governor Ibrahima Cisse Bacongo at the launch.
