Côte d’Ivoire Highlights

A Brief Overview of Key Moments in Côte d’Ivoire

1960

Independence

Côte d'Ivoire gained independence from France. Félix Houphouët-Boigny, became the first president leading to a boost in the country’s economy, notably its agriculture, industry and trade sectors. This period, known as the “Ivorian miracle”, lasted for more than 20 years.

1963

Red Cross of Côte d’Ivoire

The Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire was established.

1983

Yamoussoukro

The president’s native town, Yamoussoukro, officially became the political capital of Côte d’Ivoire. Abidjan became the economic capital.

1989

ICRC appears on the map

To respond to the needs of refugees fleeing the conflict in Liberia, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) opened an office in Man, in the west of the country.

1990

Multipartism

Following violent demonstrations, multipartism was established in Côte d’Ivoire.

1993

Race for succession

Houphouët-Boigny passed away, opening a race for succession. Henri Konan Bédié became the second president, until he was taken down in December 1999 by a military uprising.

2002

First armed conflict

Following an attempted coup against president Laurent Gbagbo, the country was divided in two. Rebels held the north and loyalists the south. French forces and UN blue helmets secured a “trust zone” in between. Hostilities came to an end in 2005.

2010

Elections and fresh violence

After being postponed six times, presidential elections finally took place. In early December, Ouattara then Gbagbo were proclaimed winners. This situation of having two presidents and two governments, led to an unprecedented crisis and new clashes.

2011

Post-electoral crisis

This ”crisis” was in fact a second armed conflict, causing the death of more than 3000 people and forcing tens of thousands to flee, seeking refuge notably in Liberia. Ouattara was sworn in May, with strong support by France and the UN.

2014

The AfDB is back

The Africa Development Bank reopened its headquarters in Abidjan, after 10 years absence.

2016

Terror in Grand-Bassam

19 people were killed in an attack in the former colonial capital on the outskirts of Abidjan. AQMI (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) assumed responsibility. A new Constitution was adopted.

2020

Ouattara re-elected for a third term

In a controversial election, Ouattara was re-elected. Violence claimed 85 lives according to official figures. The country’s economy remains stable and well-performing nevertheless.

Insider Tips

What Côte d’Ivoire is known for

Communities

Population

Côte d’Ivoire has around 60 ethnic groups who speak different languages. Each group has its own history, culture and traditions. Yet they all have something in common: their hospitality. According to the 2014 census, almost a quarter of the 23 million people living in the country are foreigners from neighboring countries.

Chocolate

Cocoa

Cote d´Ivoire is the number one producer of cocoa worldwide. Plantations cover broad areas of the country. Other available crops include rubber, coffee, cashew nuts, palm oil, cotton among others.

Landscape

Nature

The country is a host to beautiful landscapes including forests, savannah, rivers, waterfalls, beaches and natural pools not forgetting the most intelligent chimpanzees found in the jungle of Taï. Unfortunately, nature (forests and wildlife) is being destroyed due to intense exploitation. Abidjan prides itself by having the Banco Forest within the city.

Sports

Football

The national football team, the “Elephants” of Côte d’Ivoire, won the Africa Nations Cup twice, in 1992 and 2015. At club level, Didier Drogba, one of the most successful African footballers of all times, played many years in Europe, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2011-12.

Humanitarian needs in Côte d’Ivoire

Recovering from two armed conflicts

Côte d’Ivoire was just starting to recover from the armed conflict of 2002-2005 when the post-election crisis broke out in late 2010. This second conflict did not last long but caused many victims including refugees. Many parts of the country were deeply shattered, notably the west.

Ten years later, health services have recovered, as have other essential services. The great majority of refugees have returned to the country and families have been reunited. Most detainees captured during the conflict have since been released. The economic development has been steady and there are good reasons to be optimistic for the future.

However, intermittent violence has caused death, injury and deprivation of freedom, and the political differences have not yet been overcome, thereby slowing down development in some areas. Hundreds of families still don’t have news of their loved ones, who went missing during one of the two conflicts or while on the migration trail. The conditions in many prisons of Côte d’Ivoire (including the biggest one in Abidjan) remain harsh with overcrowding being an enduring problem because of limited budget and judicial burdens.

ICRC Action

ICRC’s Humanitarian action in Côte d’Ivoire

The ICRC has a regional delegation in Abidjan, which covers Côte d’Ivoire and six other countries along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea: Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

ICRC works with the Red Cross society of Côte d’Ivoire to prepare for potential emergency response in situations of violence, restore family links including for migrants and their families, mitigate the propagation of Covid-19 among communities.

The ICRC supports the penitentiary and judicial authorities of Côte d’Ivoire to improve conditions of detention for inmates across the country, including to reduce overcrowding. It visits detainees held in relation to violence or disturbances.

A physical rehabilitation programme is carried out for people living with disabilities in Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Benin, in close partnership with a broad range of partners including ministries of health.

The delegation promotes humanitarian law and values through training of security and armed forces, awareness raising sessions with youth and political parties, and communication campaigns including musical projects.

In Abidjan, the ICRC has also established one of the two regional logistics centres for Africa. It purchases, stores and dispatches critical food and non-food items to operational delegations which provide aid to communities in need throughout West and Central Africa.

Learn more about ICRC’s humanitarian action in Cote d’Ivoire

ICRC’s Humanitarian action in Côte d’Ivoire

ACHIEVEMENTS

Key ICRC milestones in Côte d’Ivoire in 2020

Protection

Provided material assistance and hygiene kits to 21 000 detainees. Visited and followed up 130 detainees.

Restoring Family Links

Facilitated exchange of family news for 150 families and located 10 persons.

Logistics

Dispatched almost daily between 10 and 20 tons of emergency items out of its regional logistics centre in Abidjan which supplies some 15 countries.

Covid-19

Set up a COVID-19 management site for suspected cases among detainees in Abidjan’s largest prison. Produced and distributed washable facial masks for detainees and penitentiary staff in the country’s 34 jails.