Due to the fact that the political system in Cote d'Ivoire is president-dominated, as we look towards the country's future, the fundamental issue is whether its political system following the turmoil of recent years will provide for enduring stability, which is critical for the investor’s “security” and of any further economic development.  However, political dialogue is much more liberal nowadays compared to how it was in 1990, especially because of the opposition press, which emphasizes its criticism of the government.

Beginning in 1990, Cote d'Ivoire evolved, with relatively little violence or dislocation but as opposition parties, independent newspapers, and independent trade unions were made legal at that time, things were different.  Since those major changes occurred, the country's pace of political change had been slow, prior to the period of turmoil ushered in by the December 1999 coup.  So whether further democratic reform will take place and encounter adequate future challenges, is still unknown.

A Peek of Cote d'Ivoire's Past

With over more than 60 ethnic groups, Cote d'Ivoire’s early history is virtually unknown, although it is said that a Neolithic culture once existed.  In 1637 France made its initial contact with Ivory Coast when missionaries landed at Assinie near the Gold Coast (what is now known as Ghana) but the early contacts were limited due to the inhospitable coastline.

In 1843 – 1844, Admiral Bouet-Williaumez signed treaties with the kings of the Grand Bassam and Assinie regions, placing their territories under a French territory.  French explorers, missionaries, trading companies, and soldiers gradually extended all over this area.  Cote d'Ivoire officially became a French colony in 1893.  Captain Binger was named the first governor and began the campaign against Almany Samory, a Malinke chief, who fought against the French.

Cote d'Ivoire showed remarkable political stability from its independence from France in 1960 until late 1999.  Under Felix Houphouet-Boigny, President from independence until his death in December 1993, Cote d'Ivoire maintained a close political allegiance to the West while many countries in the region were undergoing repeated military takeover.  Government corruption and negligence misled the country to its first coup on December 24, 1999.  Elections were scheduled for fall 2000; when early polling results showed Gbagbo in the lead, Guei stopped the process by claiming polling fraud, disbanding the election commission, and declared himself the winner.  Having gained the most votes, Gbagbo was declared President.

Hundreds were killed as violence erupted on the streets in the following days before RDR party leader Alassane Ouattara called for peace and recognized the Gbagbo presidency.  Some economic aid from the European Union began to return by the summer of 2001 however, questions surrounding severe human rights abuses by the government during the presidential and legislative elections of 2000 remained unresolved.

On September 19, 2002, exiled military personnel and co-conspirators in Abidjan simultaneously attacked government ministers and government/military/security facilities in Abidjan, Bouake, and Korhogo.  In Abidjan, government forces stopped the rebellion attempt within hours, but the attacks resulted in the deaths of Minister of Interior Emile Boga Doudou and several high-ranking military officers.  General Guei was killed under still-unclear circumstances.

For administrative purposes, Cote d'Ivoire is divided into 19 regions and 90 departments.  Each department is headed by a prefect selected by the central government to oversee local transportation development and maintenance as well as economic and social development projects.  The president is the head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces; they may negotiate, approve of certain treaties, and may submit a bill to a national referendum or National Assembly.

On another note, Laurent Gbagbo has been president since October 26, 2000.  Two years later, On September 2002, a failed coup attempt evolved into an armed rebellion that in effect split the country in half.  On March 4, 2007, President Gbagbo and Guillaume Soro, leader of the New Forces, signed the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (OPA) which is a roadmap for the country’s emergence from its political crisis.

With close ties to France since their gained independence in 1960, the large profusion of natural resources found here is what made the French and Portuguese merchants name this region Ivory Coast; but not too long after that the name was changed to Côte d’Ivoire.

The development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the West African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil.  With almost over sixty ethnic groups, the men in this culture are portrayed as the power head of any household, while the women took care of all sort of domestic needs.

National Identity

Ever since the people of  gained independence, a sense of national consciousness developed.  Most individuals consider themselves Ivorians but the concept of their national identity is complex.

Food in the Daily Life

In Côte d'Ivoire, grains such as millet, maize, rice and tubers such as yams and cassava make up most of their meals.  The food here is known to be very spicy and eaten with the hands.  Well-known dishes consist of rice with a pepper-flavored peanut sauce, which can be found in the northern savannah; and fish with fried plantains are mostly served in the coastal regions.  The national dis is foutou, a thick, heavy paste made of mashed plantains or yams eaten with a spicy sauce or stew made of fish or meat.

Support for the Arts

Known as the "Jewel of West Africa", the arts have been supported by the government which provides support to dance troupes, artists, writers and the museums; almost anything in related to the arts and humanities.

Literature: Throughout the years, Côte d'Ivoire has been passing on traditional poetry, folktales and myths the storytellers called "griots" about their societal values, history and religion.  In written literature, French is the dominant language; Bernard Dadie is perhaps one of the best-known writers to emerge in the twentieth century from Ivory Coast.

Graphic Arts: Indigenous graphic art is part of the traditional Côte d'Ivoire culture, including wood sculpting, weaving, pottery making, mask making, jewelry making, carving, and painting.  Many Ivorian artists combine traditional materials such as wood, ivory, clay, and stone with folktales, religious or mythical elements to make their art.


Performing Arts: In Côte d'Ivoire performance art embodies music, dance and festivals.  Music exists everywhere - in everyday activities and religious ceremonies; and most singing is done in groups usually accompanied by traditional instruments.  Dances performed in ceremonies and festivals are most likely to be linked to their history or ethnic beliefs.  The Senufo N'Goron dance, for example, is a colorful initiation dance where young girls wear a fan of feathers and imitate birds.  There are various customs that incorporate music and dance to express the continuation of creation and life; these take on a deep cultural-spiritual significance.

Cote d'Ivoire Basics

Full name: République de Côte d'Ivoire (Republic of Cote d'Ivoire)

Language: French.  

Gained independence: August 7, 1960

Most abundant religions: 

• Muslims: 38.6%
• Christians: 32.8%
• Indigenous: 11.9%

 Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia

  

Geographic Coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W

Geography:  

·         most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated

Area:

·         total 322,463 sq km / land: 318,003 sq km / water: 4,460 sq km

Climate:

• Tropical along coast, semi arid in far north;

• three seasons: warm and dry (November – March), hot and dry (March – May), hot and wet (June – October)

Natural Resources:

• petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydro power

Environment – Current Issues:

• deforestation
• water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents

Government Type: 

• Republic

• Multiparty presidential regime established in 1960

Population: 21,504,162

three equal vertical bands of orange, white, and green;
orange symbolizes the land (savannah) of the north and fertility,
white stands for peace and unity,
green represents the forests of the south and the hope for a bright future

References:

CIA Factbook