As the legislative election campaign draws to a close this Friday, December 26, 2025, the Yopougon district resonated with a spirit of camaraderie. Organized by the "Yopougon Fellow Journalists Team," a Maracana tournament was held on Sunday, December 21, at the SIDECI complex, with a clear objective: to promote peaceful elections.

Sport as a vehicle for cohesion

Under the patronage of Professor Adama Diawara , Minister of Higher Education and RHDP candidate, this competition, dubbed "Legislative Elections Without Violence in Yopougon," brought together four teams in the parking lot of the SIDECI Cosmos building. Media professionals, members of civil society, and key figures from the community shared the space to demonstrate that diversity of opinion does not preclude unity.

“We may not have the same choice, but we remain brothers. At the end of this election, we wish that Yop City wins in peace and joy,” said Tanguy Gahié , president of the Team and journalist at AIP.

A call for media responsibility

Beyond the football pitch, the message was eminently civic. Tanguy Gahié urged his colleagues to be vigilant and ethical, recalling the dark hours of the continent's history:

1. Promote appeasement: Use the pen to build, not to divide.
2. Avoiding excesses: Do not follow the example of hate media, like Radio Mille Collines.
3. Building the community: Actively contributing to the creation of a peaceful social climate.

A multi-sectoral mobilization

The event received widespread support. The outgoing MP and PDCI candidate, Dr. Euphrasie Yao , was represented by her communications manager, journalist Atta Etienne, who praised the initiative as a welcome boost to the "proper" electoral tone.

The organizers also expressed their gratitude to major figures in the Ivorian media landscape for their support, including:

1. Alafé Wakili (CEO of the L'Intelligent d'Abidjan group);
2. Marie-Laure N'Goran (Journalist at RTI).

Tournament results

On the sporting front, the final saw FC Cosmos emerge victorious, defeating their Yopougon counterparts 1-0. Between matches, messages promoting tolerance were broadcast, reminding supporters of both sides of the importance of respecting the election results.