Ivory Coast Charges 12 Suspects Over Gendarme’s Killing During Election Violence

Prosecutors in Ivory Coast have charged 12 suspects over the killing of Second Lieutenant Daniogo Klênon Lacina, a member of the country’s gendarmerie who was shot dead while on patrol near Agboville on October 20, 2025.

Prosecutor Oumar Braman Koné announced the charges on Tuesday, one year after the fatal incident that occurred during a period of unrest linked to the country’s presidential election.

The suspects face several serious charges, including murder, terrorist acts, conspiracy against state authority and participation in an insurrectionary movement. They have been remanded in custody as the case proceeds before Abidjan’s anti-terrorism division.

Suspects Allegedly Confess to Involvement

According to the prosecution, the suspects admitted involvement in the incident, with the individual accused of firing the fatal shots reportedly confessing to opening fire on security personnel.

Lacina was shot by armed individuals while conducting a patrol along a road near Agboville, a town north of the commercial capital, Abidjan.

The investigation has focused on identifying those responsible for the attack and determining their alleged roles in the violence.

The charges place the case within the jurisdiction of the country’s anti-terrorism division, reflecting the seriousness of the offences alleged by prosecutors.

The suspects remain accused persons, and the allegations will be subject to judicial proceedings.

Case Linked to Deadly Election Unrest

The prosecution comes a year after election-related violence shook Ivory Coast following President Alassane Ouattara’s disputed fourth-term victory.

Official figures put the death toll from the election unrest at 11 people, although the political fallout has continued beyond the immediate period of violence.

The killing of Lacina occurred against this backdrop of heightened tensions, as security forces dealt with incidents involving armed individuals.

The latest charges have renewed attention on the violence and the authorities’ efforts to establish criminal responsibility for attacks on security personnel.

Opposition Raises Concerns Over Government Conduct

The opposition party PPA-CI has accused the government of taking anti-democratic actions, adding to concerns surrounding the political climate after the election.

Authorities, however, maintain that the prosecutions are based on criminal investigations and are unrelated to the political affiliations of the accused.

The contrasting positions highlight continuing disagreements between the government and opposition over the handling of the post-election period.

The judicial proceedings are expected to examine the evidence against the suspects and determine whether the prosecution can establish the charges in court.

Judicial Proceedings Underway

The case is now before Abidjan’s anti-terrorism division, where the suspects will face proceedings over the alleged offences.

The charges carry significant legal implications, particularly those involving murder, terrorism and alleged attempts to undermine state authority.

As the case advances, attention will focus on the evidence presented by prosecutors, the defendants’ legal responses and whether the proceedings help clarify the circumstances surrounding Lacina’s death.

The prosecution marks a significant step in the investigation, although it does not resolve the broader political tensions that followed Ivory Coast’s 2025 presidential election.