History of Côte d'Ivoire

Comprising West Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, sometimes known as Ivory Coast, after separating from France in 1960, it became a republic with an elected president and has been thus ever since.

Pre-colonial Age 

Before European colonists came, several indigenous groups, including the Baoulé, Anyi, and Agni people, called the territory that is now Côte d'Ivoire home. Living in little communities scattered around the country, these people carried their own distinct customs and civilizations. 

Colonial Period 

Arriving on the coast of Côte d'Ivoire in the late 1800s, French colonists started to impose rule over the area. They considered the ground to be a rich supply of goods, including lumber, cocoa, and coffee. The French colonial government taxed the Indigenous people extensively and made them work on farms or mines as well. During World War II, thousands of Ivorians were recruited to fight for France. Nationalist feelings and demands for independence grew out of this. 

Etymology 

"Côte d'Ivoire" en français signifie "Ivory Coast". It is thought that French traders who sold ivory to the local people adopted this moniker. Official adoption of the term came in 1893 when the French colonists declared the territory a colony. 

Land migration 

Immigrants from surrounding nations such as Burkina Faso and Mali clearly arrived in Côte d'Ivoire during the colonial era. Economic possibilities in the production of cocoa and coffee drove this migration, which resulted in a mixed population of ethnic groupings inside the nation. 

Independence and Political Instability

Côte d'Ivoire won its freedom from France in 1960 under its initial leader Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Political stability, however, was short-lived since disputes between many ethnic groups fighting for dominance surfaced. Decades of military coups and civil conflicts resulting from this dogged the nation. 

Pre-Islamic and Islamic periods 

Islam was rather common in various parts of Côte d'Ivoire prior to the entrance of European colonists. Muslim traders from North Africa arrived in the 11th century and disseminated their faith together with their business methods. Still, Islam did not spread significantly in the northern territories until the 18th century. 

Pre-European modern period 

Under strong kingdoms like the Baoulé and Ashanti, Côte d'Ivoire was governed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Strong economic links with European commerce and transatlantic slave trafficking were activities of these kingdoms. 

The establishment of French rule 

Late 19th century French West Africa acquired control over Côte d'Ivoire and incorporated it. This resulted in forced labor among nearby people and resource exploitation. 

French colonial era 

Cash crops like cocoa and coffee helped Côte d'Ivoire see significant economic development under French control. However, only a small privileged class gained from this expansion; the population did not share it equally. 

Independence 

Friendly negotiations with the French administration helped Côte d'Ivoire to separate from France in 1960. Renowned leader in the fight for liberation Félix Houphouët-Boigny presided over the nation initially. His dictatorial regime introduced corruption and inequality even while he focused on modernization and economic prosperity. 

Houphouët-Boigny administration 

This cocoa-dependent prosperity increased the income gap between the wealthy and the rest of those in need but it was unsustainable. 

Bédié administration 

After his death in 1993, Henri Konan Bédié succeeded Houphouët-Boigny as president. Political turmoil and racial strife defining his reign finally ended in an armed forces takeover in 1999. 

Gbagbo implementation 

In 2000 Laurent Gbagbo claimed the first coalition of parties presidential contest for the country. But political unrest and bloody conflict haunted his presidency, particularly between government troops and northern insurgents. This led to a contentious election in 2010 that ignited a second legal war and Gbagbo's supreme arrest and conviction for crimes against humanity. 

First civil war 

Political and ethnic differences drove the first civil war Côte d'Ivoire experienced between 2002 and 2007. It produced an agreement on power-sharing between rebel troops and the government. France enlisted soldiers from the Foreign Legion during the colonial era to keep control over her colonies, notably Côte d'Ivoire.

Second civil war 

Starting in 2010 following a contested presidential election between Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, Côte d'Ivoire entered into its second civil war. With UN peacekeepers supporting Ouattara's forces in capturing Gbagbo and thereby ending the fight, it continued for months and claimed thousands of lives before Ouattara's troops. Since taking office in 2011, Alassane Ouattara has concentrated on reconstructing the nation's economy and advancing peace between many ethnic groupings. Still, political unrest and periodic violent upheavals persist in some areas. Alassane Ouattara choose Daniel Kablan Duncan as prime minister of Côte d'Ivoire in 2012. Duncan led economic growth and managed public debt and a teachers' strike. 

Ouattara administration 

Alassane Ouattara was the president of Côte d'Ivoire since 2011; he was returned to office for a third term in 2020. His government has given infrastructure development top priority as well as national reconciliation encouragement and economic prosperity. Critics of political opposition restrictions under his leadership and violations of human rights have also levied accusations, nevertheless. 

Government and politics 

Head of state and government in a presidential representative democratic republic, the president of Côte d'Ivoire the country claims a multi-party system, however, political decisions can be dominated by ethnic and regional attachments. Ever since the civil war ended in 2011, ongoing projects have sought to strengthen institutions and advance democracy. 

Economy 

Almost 40% of Côte d'Ivoire's GDP comes from agriculture, more especially from cocoa output, thus this industry forms the backbone of its economy. Though the nation features a lot of natural resources—including oil and gas—political unrest has not properly exploited these sectors. 

Culture 

Speaking in about 60 various dialects, Côte d'Ivoire values a diverse culture shaped by its several ethnic groups. The country boasts a rich cultural past with much traditional music and art, and celebrations of these customs abound from the Abissa festival. Although Islam and Christianity are the two most often practiced religions in Côte d'Ivoire, daily life is much influenced by traditional beliefs as well. 

Foreign relations 

Apart from being a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Côte d'Ivoire has major ties with France, the former colonial power. The country has supplied troops to UN operations and has been rather helpful in regional peacekeeping projects. For commerce and investment especially, it also keeps solid economic ties with other nations, especially China. 

Military 

Comprising the army, navy, and air force, the military in Côte d'Ivoire though political unrest and coups have a past in the nation, attempts have been undertaken recently to professionalize and modernize the armed services. It also contributes significantly to preserving national security and supporting worldwide peacekeeping activities. 

Administrative divisions 

There are 31 areas in Côte d'Ivoire; Yamoussoukro is the capital city while Abidjan serves as the economic center in separate districts. Every area is split even more into departments and communes, where municipal elections choose councilors and mayors. 

Geography 

Its limits demonstrate a significant biodiversity since it includes several species of flora and animals. Mountains, savannas, and forest abound in Côte d'Ivoire. 

Education 

Though there are problems including limited resources and full classrooms, children between the onset of six and sixteen have to attend mandatory education in Côte d'Ivoire. School feeding projects and lowered tuition have helped to boost educational access. 

Healthcare 

Though Côte d'Ivoire has made great strides in recent years towards bettering healthcare, the nation still has problems including a dearth of medical experts and insufficient infrastructure. Furthermore uneven is access to healthcare; rural areas have fewer resources than metropolitan hubs. 

Biodiversity 

Among the many plant and animal species found in Côte d'Ivoire are more than 5,000 distinct kinds of plants and many threatened species include the African forest elephant and Western chimpanzee. National parks and conservation areas the nation has established help to save its biodiversity as well. 

Languages 

Côte d'Ivoire claims about 60 languages within its borders; French is the official language. Other primary languages are Baoulé, Dioula, and Mande. Many of these languages find usage in traditional music and narrative. 

Religion 

With about equal numbers of devotees, Islam and Christianity are the two most often followed religions in Côte d'Ivoire. Daily living also greatly depends on conventional beliefs; many Ivorians mix established and traditional religions. 

Food 

The varied cuisine of Côte d'Ivoire illustrates its numerous cultural inspirations. Usually complementing stews or grilled proteins, common meals largely consist of cassava, yams, and bananas. 

Technology and science

Particularly in the fields of agriculture and biotechnology in technological and scientific advances, Côte d'Ivoire has made remarkable development. To provide more access to technologies, the country is also financing information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure. 

Sports 

From which the country has produced exceptional national and international teams and players, football (soccer) is the most regularly played sport in Côte d'Ivoire. Other popular sports include basketball, handball, and athletics. The success of the national team in football has helped to bring the nation together amid trying political circumstances.