Ivory Coast suspends TV presenter who asked guest to simulate rape
Ivory Coast’s Independent Media Council has announced the suspension of popular presenter Yves de Mbella, saying in a statement that the segment used obscene language, condone rape and assault dignity of women.
Private broadcaster Nouvelle Chaine Ivoirienne apologized for airing it and canceled the final episode of this particular show, which was scheduled for Friday.
“I sincerely apologize for shocking everyone while trying to raise awareness,” de Mbella wrote on Facebook. “I made a mistake.”
“I also apologize for everything said or done on yesterday’s series that was hurtful,” he wrote. “I beg forgiveness from all victims of rape.”
In the segment, which aired on Monday, de Mbella asked his guests to demonstrate how he raped women using a female dummy.
At one point, de Mbella helped the guest adjust the dummy and asked him how he chose his victims, whether he liked them “slender or fat” and whether victims were “interested”.
The segment was quickly condemned on social media platforms in Ivory Coast and throughout West and Central Africa.
Telecom operator MTN, the sponsor of the Miss Ivory Coast pageant that de Mbella is scheduled to hold on September 4, said in a statement that it would take firm measures to responded to the segment but did not say whether de Mbella would continue to host.