Bringing peoples together: the role of “Coup du marteau,” the balafon and interethnic ties highlighted

At the opening of the Abidjan Border Forum 2026 on October 20 at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, Culture and Francophonie Minister Françoise Remarck spoke about culture’s role in bringing peoples together. She cited “Coup du marteau,” which became a symbol of shared celebration among Ivorian supporters and visitors from across Africa during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The balafon, shared notably by Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali, and Sudanese-style mosques also point to a common heritage that crosses national borders.