Governing through intimidation, instilling fear, circumventing laws, and suppressing all dissenting voices: this appears to be the new political software. The weapons used to stifle criticism are now well-known and given a legal veneer: "disturbing public order" or "terrorist association."

Some try to justify the unjustifiable by pointing out that "things were worse under previous regimes." But isn't intelligence precisely about not repeating the mistakes we ourselves have denounced in the past?

Duty is not an achievement

When I'm accused of being a "bitter man" incapable of appreciating the "major projects" of those in power, I ask a simple question: Why should we applaud the obvious? Leading is a freely chosen mission. Building infrastructure and developing the country isn't a favor done for the people; it's a duty. Just as a father has a moral obligation to care for his children, a leader must serve his nation. His true reward isn't servile acclaim, but the mark he leaves on history.

The shipwreck of critical thinking

The current situation is disheartening:

1. Political idolatry: When a university professor claims to be a "sheep" for the cause of a man, all critical thinking collapses.
2. Partisan fanaticism: Whether it is the "GOR" or the "Thiamists", abandoning one's free will in favor of a providential figure is an intellectual renunciation.
3. The culture of the cell: Today, expressing a dissenting opinion is a high-risk sport. Prison has become the universal response to silence debate, under the pretext that "it leads nowhere."

Conclusion: Force versus argument

Propaganda, orchestrated by ideologues serving often obscure interests, is gradually replacing national dialogue. Make no mistake: those who lack arguments always end up resorting to force or intimidation to prevail. Freedom of expression in Côte d'Ivoire is not a luxury; it is the lifeblood of our democracy. And today, the country is beginning to run out of air.