Côte d’Ivoire: Alcoholic energy drinks demanded following certain revelations
“We have fallen victim to an injustice as a result of a conspiracy,” and “now that the truth has come to light, there’s no reason to deprive us of the opportunity to develop our business by selling these drinks, just as is done in other countries in the region.”
These are the words of merchants who were forced to halt their activities related to certain alcoholic energy drinks.
From the consumers’ perspective, “We appreciate these beverages for their flavor and their energizing effects, helping us feel revitalized whenever we were tired,” and “For those of us who used to enjoy these drinks during special moments, it was a heavy blow when they disappeared from the market,” and “In this situation, we are suffering because of the misconduct of others, and its high time the authorities took action.”
These statements reflect the sentiments of some Ivorian citizens who spoke to our editorial team regarding the issue of alcoholic energy drinks in Côte d’Ivoire.
For context, these widely consumed products were banned in the country ten months ago. The authorities justified the ban as a measure to better protect public health. However, the reality has been different.
Many Ivorians lament the ongoing problem of addiction to harmful substances, often resulting from the combination of these drinks with drugs or toxic products, which continue to circulate freely and are easily accessible in the market.
According to the information gathered, this situation appears to be the result of a deliberate conspiracy, backed by competitors and certain officials, aimed at eliminating these once-popular products from the Ivorian market.
This has led to growing calls for the reinstatement of these drinks and the restoration of commercial fairness.
As with any beverage, excessive consumption or mixing these drinks with harmful substances poses health risks.
Therefore, the issue lies in raising awareness and educating young people about responsible consumption.
Sherif TOURE
