Côte d'Ivoire toxic waste scandal: Victims still seek justice 20 years later

Two decades after the Probo Koala toxic waste scandal, victims in Côte d'Ivoire continue to seek justice and adequate compensation. The incident, which saw toxic waste dumped across 18 sites including Akouédo, resulted in an official death toll of 17 and tens of thousands of people suffering from poisoning.

In 2007, the Ivorian government reached a settlement with the company Trafigura, where the group paid 152 million euros for site cleanup and victim compensation in exchange for the dismissal of legal proceedings. However, victim advocacy groups argue this agreement effectively immunized Trafigura from further domestic prosecution.

While Trafigura was ordered by a Dutch court to compensate victims, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights ruled in 2023 that Côte d'Ivoire's compensation framework was insufficient, ordering the creation of a fund to repair damages—a fund that victims say they are still waiting to receive. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding 'waste colonialism,' where Western companies dispose of waste in Africa to avoid higher treatment costs in Europe.