Abidjan residents face hardship after Zimbabwe neighborhood demolition

Four months after the demolition of the Zimbabwe neighborhood in Port-Bouët, former residents are reporting significant hardship and a lack of government support. The area, located near the Autonomous Port of Abidjan, was razed in early June 2026 by the Abidjan Autonomous District as part of a broader urban reorganization policy.

Authorities justified the demolition by citing health and security risks, as well as irregular urban occupation. However, displaced residents claim they have been left without adequate relocation solutions or financial assistance. Some families, who had lived in the area for decades without paying rent, have been forced into expensive private rentals or are currently staying with relatives.

The destruction of the Zimbabwe district is part of a wider campaign of evictions across Abidjan, including previous operations in the Abattoir neighborhood, Yopougon, Attécoubé, and near the airport. These actions aim to improve sanitation and urban planning, but they have caused significant disruption to local economies, education, and family stability.