Country Profile
From The Report: Cote d'Ivoire 2013
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Traditionally one of West Africa’s most dynamic economies due to strong growth and development in the early decades of its independence, Côte d’Ivoire is famous for being the world’s largest producer of cocoa and, less felicitously, its recent history of political instability and civil strife. However, the country, which was divided between a rebel-held north and the government-controlled south, is now reunited and there has been no large-scale violence since a conflict over the 2010 presidential election was brought to an end in April 2011. Côte d’Ivoire also stands out for having some of the best transport infrastructure in West Africa and for its ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity, with over 60 languages and dialects being spoken throughout the country.  

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Making a comeback: As peace returns the country is ready to regain its place in the world
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The world’s largest producer of cocoa, Côte d’Ivoire is an ethnically, linguistically and religiously diverse West African nation with a rich culture. Once one of Africa’s leading economic powerhouses, the country was afflicted by civil war for much of the past 10 years, including extended unrest following elections in late 2010. However, peace has largely prevailed since April 2011, and while there have been intermittent episodes of violence in the far west, the country is now looking…

Viewpoint

President Alassane Dramane Ouattara on measures being taken to promote growth and renewal
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As I was acceding to my country’s highest office, the Ivoirian state had collapsed due to the post-electoral crisis and 10 years of poor governance. Respect for human rights was being flouted, owing to the widespread impunity that had prevailed over the last 10 years. Our task consisted of providing Côte d’Ivoire with republican institutions and restoring order to our defence and security apparatuses. Following the establishment of the National Security Council and the creation of the Authority…

Analysis

A world of difference: The country is working to improve its links with international players
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Côte d’Ivoire has seen an encouraging turnaround in diplomatic relations with a variety of partners. In the first decade of this century ties between the central government (for much of the decade the north was under rebel rule) and the West became strained, and the regime in Abidjan was increasingly isolated, both regionally and internationally. However, following reunification after the civil war, the nation’s ties with the international community and international institutions have…