National Trade Data Bank ITEM ID : ST BNOTES COTEDIVO DATE : Oct 28, 1994 AGENCY : U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PROGRAM : BACKGROUND NOTES TITLE : Background Notes - IVORY COAST Source key : ST Program key : ST BNOTES Update sched. : Occasionally Data type : TEXT End year : 1992 Date of record : 19941018 Keywords 3 : Keywords 3 : | IVORY COAST US DEPARTMENT OF STATE BACKGROUND NOTES: COTE D'IVOIRE Official Name: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire PROFILE GEOGRAPHY Cote d'Ivoire is located on the south side of the West African bulge. Its 550-kilometer (340-mi.) coastline on the Gulf of Guinea has heavy surf and no natural harbors. A series of coastal lagoons fringes the southeast. The nation's capital was legally changed to Yamoussoukro in 1983, although the seat of government remains in Abidjan. Abidjan is the commercial and population center of the country and also is the terminus of the 1,150-kilometer (716-mi.) railway that connects Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, with the Gulf of Guinea. Early 20th-century attempts to dig a canal through the sandbar blocking the Ebrie lagoon from the sea were unsuccessful, but in 1950 the Vridi Canal, begun in 1936, was completed. The canal opened the Port of Abidjan to deep-draft vessels, and traffic increased by 50% almost immediately. A second deepwater port, San Pedro, was dedicated in 1972. In the western half of the country, dense forest extends to the sea; scrub savanna covers a narrow strip stretching from Fresco to the Ghana frontier. A lush tropical forest extends inland to a line about halfway between Dimbokro and Bouake; significant cash crops-coffee, cocoa, tropical woods, and bananas-are grown there. North of the forest lies an inland savanna zone of sandy soils, where vegetation is sparse and the landscape unbroken. Cotton is a key cash crop grown here. Only the Guinea Highlands in the northwest, which rise 1,460 meters (4,800 ft.) above sea level, break the monotony of the inland plain. The southern part of Cote d'Ivoire falls into the tropical zone, with hot, humid weather and heavy rains. Daily temperatures vary from a minimum of 22 C (72 F) to a maximum of 32 C (91 F), and the heaviest rains generally fall between mid-April and mid-July, with a shorter rainy season in October and November. As one moves north from the coast, the weather gets drier and the climate grows more savanna-like. Temperature differences become more extreme, with nighttime temperatures in January dipping as low as 12 c (54 F) and daytime temperatures in the summer rising to above 40 C (well into the hundreds). PEOPLE Cote d'Ivoire's more than 60 ethnic groups usually are classified into seven principal divisions-Akan, Krou, Lagoon, Nuclear Mande, Peripheral Mande, Senoufo, and Lobi. The Baoule, in the Akan division, is probably the largest single subgroup, with perhaps 20% of the overall population. They live in the central region around Bouake. The Bete, in the Krou division, and the Senoufo in the north are the second and third largest groups, with roughly 18% and 15% of the national population, respectively. Most of the principal divisions have centers in one of the neighboring countries. Of the more than 5 million non-Ivorian Africans living in Cote d'Ivoire, one-third to one-half are from Burkina Faso; the rest are from Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Liberia, and Mauritania. A non-African expatriate community includes roughly 20,000 French and at least 100,000 Lebanese. In 1960, 22% of school-aged children attended classes; in 1981, 76%. HISTORY The early history of Cote d'Ivoire is virtually unknown, although it is thought that a neolithic culture existed there. France made its initial contact with Cote d'Ivoire in 1637, when missionaries landed at Assinie near the Gold Coast (now Ghana) border. Early contacts were limited to a few missionaries because of the inhospitable coastline and settlers' fear of the inhabitants. In the 18th century, the country was invaded by two related ethnic groups-the Agnis, who occupied the southeast, and the Baoules, who settled in the central section. In 1843-44, Adm. Bouet-Williaumez signed treaties with the kings of the Grand Bassam and Assinie regions, placing their territories under a French protectorate. French explorers, missionaries, trading companies, and soldiers gradually extended the area under French control inland from the lagoon region. However, pacification was not accomplished until 1915. French Period Cote d'Ivoire officially became a French colony in 1893. Captain Binger, who had explored the Gold Coast frontier, was named the first governor. He negotiated boundary treaties with Liberia and the United Kingdom (for the Gold Coast) and later started the campaign against Almany Samory, a Malinke chief, who waged war against the French until 1898. From 1904 to 1958, Cote d'Ivoire was a constituent unit of the Federation of French West Africa (now Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, Burkina, and Cote d'Ivoire). It was a colony under the Third French Republic and an overseas territory under the Fourth Republic. Until the period following World War II, governmental affairs in French West Africa were administered from Paris through governors general and territorial governors. France's policy in West Africa was reflected mainly in its philosophy of "association," meaning that all Africans in Cote d'Ivoire were officially French "subjects" without rights to representation in Africa or France. A harsh and racially conscious Vichy regime remained in control until 1943, when members of Gen. Charles de Gaulle's provisional government assumed control of all French West Africa. The Brazzaville conference in 1944, the first Constituent Assembly of the Fourth Republic in 1946, and France's gratitude for African loyalty to Free France during World War II, led to far-reaching governmental reforms in 1946. French citizenship was granted to all African "subjects," the right to organize politically was recognized, and various forms of forced labor were abolished. A turning point in relations with France was reached with the 1956 Overseas Reform Act (Loi Cadre), which transferred a number of powers previously reserved for metropolitan administrators to elected territorial governments in French West Africa and removed remaining voting inequalities. Independence In December 1958, Cote d'Ivoire became an autonomous republic within the French community as a result of a referendum that brought community status to all members of the old Federation of French West Africa except Guinea, which had voted against association. Cote d'Ivoire became independent on August 7, 1960, and permitted its community membership to lapse. Cote d'Ivoire's contemporary political history is closely associated with the career of Felix Houphouet-Boigny, president of the republic and leader of the Parti Democratique de la Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI). He was one of the founders of the Rassemblement Democratique Africain (RDA), the leading preindependence interterritorial political party in French West Africa. The RDA established constituent units in all French West African territories except Mauritania, as well as in the Congo (Brazzaville), Chad, Gabon, and Cameroon. Houphouet-Boigny first came to national political prominence in 1944 as founder of the Syndicat Agricole Africain, an organization that won improved labor conditions for African farmers and formed a nucleus for the PDCI. After World War II, he was elected by a narrow margin to the first Constituent Assembly. Representing Cote d'Ivoire in the French National Assembly from 1946 to 1959, he devoted much of his effort to interterritorial political organization and further amelioration of labor conditions. After his 13-year service in the French National Assembly, including almost 3 years as a minister in the French Government, he became Cote d'Ivoire's first prime minister in April 1959, and the following year was elected its first president. In May 1959, Houphouet-Boigny reinforced his position as a dominant figure in West Africa by leading Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Upper Volta (Burkina), and Dahomey (Benin) into the Council of the Entente, a regional organization promoting economic development. (Togo joined in 1966.) He has maintained that the only true road to African solidarity is through step-by-step economic and political cooperation, recognizing the principle of nonintervention in the internal affairs of other African states. GOVERNMENT The constitution provides for a strong presidency within the framework of a separation of powers. The executive is personified in the president, elected for a 5-year term by universal adult suffrage. The president is commander in chief of the armed forces, may negotiate and ratify certain treaties, and may submit a bill to a national referendum or to the National Assembly. A 1985 constitutional amendment named the president of the National Assembly acting head of state in the event of a vacancy, and mandated that he oversee the holding of national elections within 45-60 days to choose a new president. The cabinet is selected by and is responsible to the president. The unicameral National Assembly is composed of 175 members elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term concurrently with the president. It passes on legislation introduced by its own members or by the president. The judicial system culminates in a Supreme Court. A High Court of Justice is competent to try government officials for major offenses. For administrative purposes, Cote d'Ivoire is divided into 34 departments, each headed by a prefect appointed by the central government. There are 135 communes, each headed by a competitively elected mayor. Principal Government Officials President-Felix Houphouet-Boigny Ministers of State - Auguste Denise, Mathieu Ekra, Emile Kei Boguinard Ministers-Delegate - Paul Gui Dibo, Guy Alain Gauze, Balla Reita Other Ministers Defense-Jean Konan Banny Foreign Affairs-Simeon Ake Interior-Leon Konan Koffi Economy and Finance-Moise Koumoue Koffi Agriculture, Waters, and Forests-Vincent-Pierre Lokrou Technical Education and Professional Training-Ange-Francois Barry Battesti Public Works, Transportation, Building and Urban Development-Bamba Vamoussa Justice, Keeper of the Seals-Noel Nemin Labor-Albert Vanie Bi Tra Internal Security and the Struggle Against Drugs-Issouf Kone Industry and Plan-Oumar Diarra Public Health and Population-Frederic-Francois Alain Ekra Women's Affairs-Hortense Aka-Anghui Commerce-Nicolas Kouandi Angba Civil Service-Jean-Jacques Bechio Tourism-Jean-Claude Delafosse Social Affairs, Youth, and Sports-Yaya Ouattara National Education, Scientific Research & Culture-Alassane Salif N'Diaye Preschool and Primary Education-Odette Kouame N'Guessan Mines-Yed Esaie Angoran Posts and Telecommunications-Vincent Tioko Djedje Animal Production-Christopher Gboho Communication-Auguste Severin Miremont Ambassador to the United States-Charles P. Gomis Ambassador to the United Nations- Amara Essy Cote d'Ivoire maintains an embassy in the United States at 2424 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008 (tel. 202-483-2400). POLITICAL CONDITIONS Cote d'Ivoire has enjoyed relative political stability since independence. President Houphouet-Boigny, a moderate leader of considerable stature in Africa, uses direct personal dialogue with representatives of various segments of Ivorian society. The PDCI, the single ruling party, includes most elements of the country's political life and serves as a forum for policy decisions and as an instrument for ensuring the application of government policies. More open discussion of government policies has occurred since the country's first competitive elections for legislative, municipal, and local party positions in 1980. National elections have been held at regular 5-year intervals since independence, and are next scheduled for 1990. ECONOMY Agriculture has been the keystone of Cote d'Ivoire's development into one of Africa's most prosperous economies, with annual real growth of nearly 7% from 1960 to 1980. Cocoa, coffee, and tropical woods were key products and, despite impressive diversification efforts, accounted for 47% of 1988 export earnings. To reduce dependence on this limited range of export goods, the government has encouraged production of bananas, palm oil, cotton, pineapples, coconuts, rubber, and sugar; yields of cotton, sugar, and rubber have increased significantly in recent years. Self-sufficiency in foodstuffs is another government objective. From 1981 through 1984, the economy contracted in real terms. Over-ambitious state investment in the late 1970s, at a time of high coffee and cocoa prices, was financed largely by external borrowing. With a subsequent sharp decline in commodity prices, high interest rates, adverse exchange-rate movements, and a 1982-83 drought, the country faced a real financial crisis at the end of 1983. Conditions for what proved to be a transitory recovery were laid by a stringent austerity program and ongoing structural adjustments in association with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Record export crops in 1985 spurred a return to real growth of about 5%, followed by a 2%-3% increase in 1986. The collapse of coffee and cocoa prices that began in the latter half of 1986, however, plunged the economy into a recession from which it has yet to emerge. In late 1989, Cote d'Ivoire embarked upon a new IMF adjustment program and a new World Bank structural reform programs to be supported by substantial amounts of bilateral assistance and official and commercial bank debt rescheduling. Rapid development of the industrial sector since independence has been oriented toward import substitution, agricultural processing, energy, and construction. Half of manufacturing employment is in agricultural processing. The next largest category, employing about 17%, is the textile and apparel industry, largely utilizing domestically grown cotton. Cote d'Ivoire joined the ranks of petroleum producers when an ESSO-led consortium brought the offshore Belier field into production in 1980. In 1982, a Phillips-led consortium brought the larger Espoir field into production. However, production, which at one time met most of the country's needs, fell off sharply in recent years, and the Phillips wells have been capped. However, ESSO is now undertaking additional exploration of its existing field, and the government intends to solicit bids both for the development of a known natural gas field and for the exploration of new offshore fields during 1990. Reserves have proved smaller and more difficult to exploit than first anticipated, and hopes of a sustained oil boom have faded in the face of decreasing crude oil prices. Cote d'Ivoire also has constructed a regional oil refinery, SIR, which moved in 1985 from being a loss center to generating some profits. Non-oil mineral production is negligible. Limited amounts of diamonds and gold are produced irregularly. BHP Utah, a U.S. gold-mining firm, began exploration in 1987. A large deposit of low-grade iron ore has been found near Man, and a nationwide geological survey turned up deposits of nickel and manganese. As part of Cote d'Ivoire's efforts to reduce reliance on cocoa, the Minister of Mines intends to encourage mining development more aggressively in the future. Rapid economic development since 1950 was assisted by the opening of the Vridi Canal, which made Abidjan a deepwater port, and the Abidjan-Ouagadougou Railroad, which traverses the center of the country. Recent railroad operations have not been as successful, and Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso agreed in March 1987 to form two national companies. A system of highways, most of which are paved, now connects the major urban centers, many of which also are served by the national airline, Air Ivoire. Air Afrique and other African carriers provide regular intracontinental service. Intercontinental air service is available several times daily between Abidjan and Paris; less frequent direct flights connect Abidjan with Rome, Geneva, Zurich, Brussels, London, Madrid, and New York. However, air service by carriers other than Air Afrique and UTA was cut back substantially on November 1, 1989, as part of a French-sponsored effort to "restructure" Air Afrique. Tied into satellite communications, direct dialing to Western Europe and North America provides the business traveler and tourist with instant communications. After independence, Ivorian leaders decided to follow a policy of economic liberalism, based on private enterprise. That policy has been maintained with increasing emphasis on Ivorian management and participation of Ivorian capital in new enterprises. The government welcomes foreign private investment, and a number of foreign enterprises, including several U.S. companies, have invested in Cote d'Ivoire. Although development objectives sometimes have resulted in the creation of parastatal enterprises, as part of a reform program underway since 1980, the government has taken measures to convert some to private ownership and to ensure that the remaining companies are run as self-sustaining enterprises. When Cote d'Ivoire became an overseas territory under the Fourth French Republic, it benefited from the French overseas development fund, the Investment Fund of Economic and Social Development. The country has continued to benefit from considerable French assistance and also receives important aid from the European Community, the World Bank, and other donors. Public organizations and private firms have found Abidjan well situated as a headquarters for their regional activities. Among those located in the city are the West African office of the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the multinational Air Afrique, and the secretariat of the Council of the Entente. Many foreign firms have located there as well. Although the French predominate, the spectrum of OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries is represented, as are a number of developing countries. About 56 U.S. firms operate in Abidjan. Aside from the manufacturers and oil companies, there is one bank, six accounting firms, a law firm, and many local and regional sales representatives. Cote d'Ivoire's currency is the CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc issued by the Central Bank of West African States, the central bank of the West African Monetary Union. The CFA franc is fully convertible with the French franc, at a fixed parity of 50 CFAF=1FF. International payments are readily made. Cote d'Ivoire's traditionally favorable trade surplus has declined substantially in recent years with the collapse of commodity prices. As a result, Cote d'Ivoire has been faced with a large current account deficit. This deficit is due largely to repatriation of earnings by foreign enterprises, payments abroad by the large foreign population, and especially interest and principal payments on the nation's large foreign debt. DEFENSE The small Ivorian Armed Forces comprise the army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie and are meant primarily for external defense and internal security. The army, the largest of the organizations, has three light infantry battalions, located in Abidjan, Bouake, and Daloa, and a fourth battalion is being formed in Korhogo. Each battalion falls within one of the country's four military regions and is headquartered at one of these four principal cities. Specialized army units include a para-commando company, an artillery batallion, and an engineer battalion. The army staff serves as the joint staff at Ivorian Armed Forces Headquarters in Abidjan, with a major general acting as both the commander of the army and as chief of staff. Command of the various military units stationed throughout Cote d'Ivoire is exercised through the army military region commanders (all colonels), who command all military forces, including air force and gendarmerie, within their regions. The gendarmerie, the second largest military service, is a national police force responsible for territorial security, especially in rural areas. It is composed of a headquarters in Abidjan, commanded by a colonel, and four gendarmerie legions that correspond to the four military regions. The Ivorian Air Force and Air Ivoire, the national airline, function within a single organization. The military/civil inventory consists of 5 Alpha jets, 20 transport/utility aircraft, and 10 helicopters. The Ivorian Navy, the smallest of the armed services, is equipped with four patrol craft and one small landing ship. The navy's primary mission is patrolling the 530-kilometer (340-mi.) shoreline. Counting other paramilitary organizations, such as the Military Fire Department and the Presidential Guard and Militia, the total strength of Ivorian Armed Forces numbers about 15,000 personnel. A mutual defense accord signed with France in 1961 provides for stationing French forces in Cote d'Ivoire, and a French Marine Infantry Battalion currently is based near Abidjan. FOREIGN RELATIONS Cote d'Ivoire's foreign policy has been generally favorable toward the West. The country became a member of the United Nations in 1960 and participates in most of its specialized agencies. It maintains a wide variety of diplomatic contacts, and, in 1986, announced the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Israel and the Soviet Union, two countries with whom Cote d'Ivoire had broken or suspended formal diplomatic ties several years earlier. The Houphouet-Boigny government has favored a step-by-step approach to the question of African unity rather than broad proposals for early continental union. Cote d'Ivoire is a member of the Organization of African Unity and maintains close ties with its French-speaking neighbors in the Council of the Entente. The Entente countries continue to cooperate closely, harmonizing their economic policies and promoting regional economic development. The dean of sub-Saharan chiefs of state, Houphouet-Boigny wields considerable influence among his fellow leaders in West Africa. Since 1970, the president has called for a dialogue between black Africa and South Africa. He believes that black Africa will not succeed in changing South African policies through the use of force, whereas it may be possible to change South African attitudes through meaningful dialogue. This position has met with a better reception from other African states after the recent election of de Klerk and his release of Nelson Mandela and other ANC prisoners. U.S.-IVORIAN RELATIONS U.S.-Ivorian relations are friendly and close. The United States is sympathetic to Cote d'Ivoire's program of rapid, orderly economic development as well as its moderate stance on international issues. Bilateral U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) funding, with the exception of self-help funds, has been phased out and replaced by regional AID projects, such as training, energy initiatives, child survival and vaccination programs, and housing loan guarantees. The United States and Cote d'Ivoire maintain an active cultural exchange program, through which prominent Ivorian Government officials, media representatives, educators, and scholars visit the United States to become better acquainted with the American people and to exchange ideas and views with their American colleagues. This cooperative effort is furthered through frequent visits to Cote d'Ivoire by representatives of U.S. business and educational institutions, and by visits of Fulbright-Hays scholars and specialists in various fields. A modest security assistance program provides professional training for Ivorian military officers in the United States. Principal U.S. Officials Ambassador-Kenneth L. Brown Deputy Chief of Mission-Hugh G. Hamilton, Jr. Administrative Counselor-Elaine B. Schunter Economic Officer-Janice Price Political Officer-Thomas Price Defense Attache-Col. Jerry R. Fry Commercial Officer-Gene Harris Consular Affairs Officer-Vincent J. Rizzo Director, AID Regional Development -Arthur M. Fell Director, AID Regional Housing and Urban Development-Stephen W. Giddings Public Affairs Officer-Robert Petersen The U.S. Embassy is located at 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (tel. 21-09-79; telex, 23660; telefax, 22-32-59); mailing address is 01 B.P. 1712, Abidjan 01, Cote d'Ivoire. Further Information These titles are provided as a general indication of the material published on this country. The Department of State does not endorse unofficial publications. Allen, Philip M., and Aaron Segal. The Traveler's Africa. New York: Hopkinson & Blake, 1973. Cohen, Michael A. Urban Policy and Political Conflict in Africa: A Study of the Ivory Coast. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1974. Foster, Philip, and Aristide R. Zolberg. Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971. Guyer, David. Ghana and the Ivory Coast: The Impact of Colonialism in an African Setting. New York: Exposition Press, 1970. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Ivory Coast, the Challenge of Success: A Mission Sent to the Ivory Coast by the World Bank. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1978. The Ivorian Market. Special issue in English, Sept. 30, 1977, No. 1664. Paris: Marches Tropicaux et Mediterraneens. Morgenthau, Ruth. Political Parties in French-Speaking West Africa. New York: Oxford University Press, 1964. Priovolos, Theophilos. Coffee and the Ivory Coast: An Economic Study. Lexington, Mass.: Lexington Books, 1981. Thompson, Virginia. West Africa's Council of the Entente. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1972. Wallerstein, Immanual M. The Road to Independence: Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Paris: Mouton, 1964. Weiskel, Timothy C. French Colonial Rule and the Baule Peoples: Resistence and Collaboration, 1889-1911. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980. Woronoff, Jean. West African Wager: Houphouet Versus Nkrumah. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1972. Zartman, I. William and Delgado, Christopher. The Political Economy of Ivory Coast. New York: Praeger, 1984. Zolberg, Aristide R. One-Party Government in the Ivory Coast. Rev. Ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1974. Travel Notes Clothing: Summer clothing is appropriate year round. Umbrellas and light raincoats are useful during the rainy season. Customs: Visas are required for entry to Cote d'Ivoire and neighboring West African countries. Airport visas are not available. If no Ivorian representation exists in the country where the visa is sought, it may be applied for at a French embassy or consulate. Yellow fever vaccination is required. Ivorian officials abroad generally verify that immunizations have been obtained before issuing an entry visa. Since immunization requirements may change, it is prudent to check the latest information before traveling. Health: The incidence of disease in Cote d'Ivoire is higher than in the United States. Health risks can be minimized by proper immunizations, food preparation, and strict sanitary practices. Tapwater is not potable. Malaria prophylaxis is a must and should be taken before and during a visit to Cote d'Ivoire. Telecommunications: Local phone service is adequate. International calls can be dialed directly to the United States and many other countries. It is sometimes easier to make an international call than to reach local or in-country numbers. Cote d'Ivoire is 5 hours ahead of eastern standard time. Transportation: Air Afrique has two flights per week direct from New York to Abidjan. European carriers provide once-weekly flights as follows: British Air, London/Abidjan; Iberia, Madrid/Abidjan; Swiss Air, Zurich/Geneva/Abidjan; Sabena, Brussels/Abidjan. In addition, Air Afrique and UTA provide daily service from Paris to Abidjan. Air Ivoire serves the country's principle cities, and small planes are available for charter. Air fares are expensive. Daily railroad passenger service is available between Abidjan and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Most Abidjan roads are paved. An excellent network of roads links virtually all major towns. All unpaved roads are dusty during the dry season and slippery during the rainy season. Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential for trips into the more isolated areas. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory. Metered taxis, whose fares are relatively low, and rental cars, which are expensive, are available. Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of Public Affairs - -Office of Public Communication -- Washington, D.C. -- April 1990 -- Editor: Juanita Adams. Department of State Publication 8119 --Background Notes Series -- This material is in the public domain and may be reprinted without permission; citation of this source is appreciated. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.