The senior Ivorian officials have been sanctioned following a bungled rebroadcast of an unrelated speech by President Alassan Ouattara on 1 January 2023.National television RTI had broadcast on one of its channels an address by President Ouattara on the eve of the 62nd independence anniversary instead of his speech on the occasion of the New Year 2023.    

“Following the incident on the 1pm news on January 1, 2023, regarding the rebroadcast of the speech of the Head of State on the occasion of the New Year, and pending investigations to determine responsibilities, the general management decided on their suspension,” a note said.

 Those suspended include Ms. Habiba Dembélé Sahouet, Director of Newspapers; Mr. Dalla Diabagaté, Technical Director and Mr. Cissé Inssa, Director of TV Production at RTI.

 Their interim positions are held by Mr. Lanciné Koné, director of news magazines for the news directorate, Mr. Koné Siriki, director of RTI 1, for the technical and TV production directorates.