Maman Cadi chose the word “Paix” (=Peace in French). From 2002 untill 2007, the Ivory Coast went through a civil war which was followed by more violence in 2010 and 2011 after the presidential elections. The slum itself was heavily impacted with machete-armed gangs clashing on the streets and executions taking place on bonfires. Local militias used the infamous “Article 125” in which 100 Francs are used to buy petrol and 25 Francs for a box of matches.

Today the conflict is over but the scars are still visible all over people’s bodies, the weapons haven’t disapeared and the trauma will hang around for a while. Real, long lasting peace is the only way forward for Maman Cadi.