The alleged murderer (Ph KOACI)
The city of Daloain Ivory Coast, was shaken by a drama of rare violence. T. Sidibéa young man known in his neighborhood for his drug addiction problems, was arrested after brutally killing his own mother, Sidibé Aminataaged 60 on Tuesday October 1, 2024.
This incomprehensible and shocking act plunged populations into deep sadness and sparked collective reflection on the rise in domestic violence exacerbated by drug use.
The events took place in the leprosarium of Daloawhere the family lived Sidibé. According to testimonies collected, the young man, visibly under the influence of drugs, lost control after an argument with his mother. The latter criticized him for his deviant behavior and his inability to take responsibility. Apparently common words, but which triggered T. Sidibé a violent and disproportionate reaction.
Tensions between mother and son were nothing new. Sidibé Aminataa woman described as strict but caring, tried as best she could to put her son back on the right path. His frequent reproaches were intended to encourage him to change his behavior, but unfortunately, his words that day had a devastating effect. According to witnesses, she described her son as “lazy” and “a scoundrel”, insults which triggered uncontrollable anger in the young man.
T. Sidibéin a fit of rage, threw himself at his mother and hit her several times, inflicting fatal blows. The horror of the scene shocked witnesses present in the family neighborhood. Some neighbors, accustomed to quarrels between mother and son, did not react at first, thinking that it was an ordinary argument. But the violence of the blows quickly gave way to panic. Screams rang out, and the intervention of the residents unfortunately came too late. Sidibé Aminata was lying on the ground, lifeless.
Alerted by witnesses, the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) of Daloa immediately went to the scene of the drama. T. Sidibéstill under the influence of drugs, was arrested without resistance. In a state of confusion, he admitted the facts and tried to justify his actions by explaining that his mother constantly humiliated him. According to her confession, she belittled him in front of other members of the family, particularly in the presence of neighborhood children. These repeated humiliations would, according to him, have fueled an inner rage which ended up exploding that fateful day.
The murder of Sidibé Aminata plunged the inhabitants of Daloa in fear. Neighbors, friends and relatives of the family struggle to understand how a simple family dispute could lead to such an act of violence. Some speak of an idle young man, lost in his drug addiction problems and incapable of managing his emotions. Others speak of growing tensions within the family, fueled by the mother’s incessant reproaches and the son’s inability to find a stable path in his life.
The death of Sidibé Aminata also highlights the challenges many mothers face in their struggle to save their children from decline. She is not the first mother to have tried everything to bring her child back on the right path, but this time, the result was tragic. THE drama thus relaunches the debate on the urgency of acting to prevent domestic violence, especially in contexts where drug addiction plays an amplifying role.
While waiting for T’s trial. Sidibéexpected in the coming months, the population of Daloa is in mourning. Family members Sidibé are devastated by this irremediable loss, and neighbors express their sadness at this tragedy. The young man, now imprisoned, will have to answer for his actions in court. However, for many, the question remains whether this drama could have been avoided. Drug addiction, the marginalization of young people and domestic violence are problems that Ivorian society must urgently address.
The trial of T. Sidibé will be closely followed by the population of Daloabut also by associations and local authorities, who see in this case a striking example of the consequences of the deterioration of the family fabric and the rise of social ills. While the family Sidibé tries to overcome this tragedy, the city is confronted with a reality that is difficult to accept: how can a simple quarrel lead to such a catastrophe? What measures should be taken to prevent such dramas in the future?
Beyond justice for Sidibé Aminatathere is a lot of questioning that needs to be done about the solutions to be provided to young people in distress and families in crisis.
Jean Chresus, Abidjan
