Addah village ends 12-year succession crisis
Roger Sangahi installed as chief, aiming to restore community cohesion after years of division.
The village of Addah, near Jacqueville, has ended a 12-year succession crisis with the official installation of Roger Sangahi as chief on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The designation followed a consensus reached on August 19, 2026, among the village's four traditional families, mediated by the Jacqueville prefect. This marks the first such ceremony in Addah in over 50 years, according to the organizing committee president.
The 12 years of disputes, from 2014 to 2026, had impacted community cohesion and village affairs, stated the new chief's spokesperson. Roger Sangahi, an insurance agent born in 1964, has prioritized reconciliation and unity. He urged residents to move past divisions and rebuild trust, emphasizing that trust is not decreed but earned. The ceremony was attended by regional authorities and Bishop Mgr Jean-Salomon Lezoutchié.
Sangahi outlined the village's urgent needs, including potable water, expanded electricity, road paving, improved school and health facilities, and land security against coastal erosion. Addah, located between the Ébrié Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, also plans to develop artisanal fishing, cassava processing, and tourism. Minister of Public Service, Anne Désirée Ouloto-Lamizana, advised Sangahi to govern with impartiality and justice, serving the community above all else.
Why it mattersThe village of Addah has resolved a 12-year leadership dispute, affecting community cohesion and development, with the installation of Roger Sangahi as chief.