Ivory Coast: Call to reconsider the ban on alcoholic energy drinks
In Ivory Coast, For several months, the decision by Ivorian authorities to ban the import of alcoholic energy drinks has caused an uproar among the population and economic actors in the sector. This measure, initially perceived as an act to protect public health, actually hides much more complex and worrying issues. Today, it is imperative to ask the authorities to reconsider this ban for the sake of the local economy and social justice.
The immediate repercussions of this ban have been felt with painful acuity. Local distributors and small businesses, who had invested in the trade of these drinks, found themselves with unsold stocks and considerable financial losses. These economic actors, often heading small family structures, are now on the brink of bankruptcy. Their employees, on the other hand, are facing increasing job uncertainty, thereby exacerbating social precariousness.
Recent investigations have revealed troubling elements regarding the circumstances of this ban. Reliable sources have highlighted practices of corruption and market manipulation orchestrated by groups with particular interests. These revelations suggest that the decision to ban alcoholic energy drinks was not solely motivated by public health considerations, but rather by maneuvers aimed at favoring certain actors to the detriment of others.
In light of these elements, it is crucial that Ivorian authorities take steps to reexamine this ban. Such a decision cannot be maintained if it is based on falsified and manipulated grounds. It is the duty of the authorities to ensure a fair and equitable economic environment, where decisions are made with full transparency and in the general interest.
