On January 8, 2026 , the Abidjan Military Court was the setting for a landmark trial at the start of this judicial year. Appearing before the court was a warrant officer of the Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FACI) , identified by the initials KYI , serving in an infantry battalion in the interior of the country.

According to the evidence presented during the proceedings, the events stemmed from a seemingly ordinary situation. The non-commissioned officer allegedly asked a 12-year-old girl, identified by the initials AM , to buy him cigarettes. Upon his return to deliver the money, serious incidents reportedly occurred inside the home.

After the incident, the child informed his parents upon their return. They immediately contacted the relevant authorities. An investigation was launched without delay, leading to the arrest of the suspect. A judicial inquiry was then conducted by an investigating magistrate before the case was referred to the military court.

At the hearing, the warrant officer was unable to provide a clear explanation for his behavior. He merely offered an apology to the judges, without providing any evidence to mitigate the charges against him.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, the court took into account the seriousness of the crime , the victim's age and vulnerability , as well as the defendant's status as a member of the military , who was bound by a duty to set an example. Found guilty, Warrant Officer KYI was sentenced to life imprisonment .

With this decision, the Ivorian military justice system reiterates that serious offenses committed against minors are subject to severe sanctions and that no one is above the law , regardless of their rank or function.