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.