‘’I will be expelled from Côte d’Ivoire today, by the Côte d’Ivoire government following a request by French authorities,’’ She reiterated with confidence that the controversies surrounding her stay in Abidjan emanated from her spectacular Sochi speech where she strongly decried neocolonialism and the fact that France continues to use the currency FCFA to control its former colonies including Cote d’ivoire. She quoted; “it is clear that after slavery, colonization, and pseudo-independence, we have only been granted the right to be free, but only within the French pen. Francophone Africa is still under the control of France. “
Ouattara’s opponent catapulted to Switzerland
The later hours of December 02, 2019 saw the physical end of opposition figure Nathalie Yamb in Cote d’ivoire after the government of President Allasane Ouattara proclaimed her unfit to continue residing in the West African country. Ms Yamb, executive advisor to opposition figure Mamadou Koulibaly, President of LIDER party was abruptly evicted from Ivory Coast after meeting the Ivorian National Police agents of the general investigation services. The lady who hails from Cameroon and Switzerland, accused of hard speeches against the authorities in Cote d’ivoire, which according to them undermines state’s integrity and counteracts the national interest of the country. Under police surveillance, Nathalie Yamb was escorted to Félix Houphouët airport in Abidjan and taken to Zurich, Switzerland by Ivorian authorities. Reaction to her deportation, president of LIDER party Mamadou Koulibaly accused President Ouattara on being xenophobic accentuating on this statement: "She is told that she is a foreign woman who makes politics in Côte d’Ivoire, that she criticizes the authorities too much, that it is a disturbance of public order.’’ According to the opposition figure, Ms Yamb was supposed to stand trial before her expulsion.
Reactions on social media platforms
Kemi Seba: Being ripped off from its African land to be sent back to the west is a tragic reminder of the journey the best of our ancestors made when they were captured and deported to the Americas to be held there for 400 years. This fight is a struggle that makes us lose everything in this life. Family, social stability, Serenity, individual freedoms. But history will give us right. And the françafrique will fall. It's just a matter of time. Sebi remains a strong critic of the French currency. https://web.facebook.com/KemiSebaOfficial/photos/a.10152727456052082/10157887904592082/?type=3&theater.
Musa Bah occupational health specialist, health manager, current affairs addict: ‘’Your honest speech on France’s exploitation of francophone Africa has ruffled some feathers, don’t let them silent you, and keep up the fight.’’
https://twitter.com/MusaBah/status/1201424791959490561.
Other activists and Africans who shared the philosophy of Nathalie Yamb have hailed her and vowed to stand with her in the fight to liberate Africa. Ms Nathalie Yamb has however not bemoaned her deportation and has underlined the quest to liberate Francophone Africa. ‘’The fight continues she underlines’’.
Clarisse Wiydorven