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THE REPUBLIC OF COTE D'IVOIRE - BRIEFS

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FACTS TO IVORY COAST POLITICAL CRISIS
Houphouet Boigny As Head Of State / Henri Konan Bedie Rivalry With Ouattara
Linas_Marcoussis / Accra Agreement / UN Resolution 1464 Endorses Marcoussis
PRESENTATION

The Republic of Cote d'Ivoire is located in the Western African region and expands over a total area of: 322,460 sq. km (land: 318,000 sq. km water: 4,460 sq. km)

Its population numbers 15,818,068 (1999) 16,962,491(July 2003 est.) Population (2008 est.): 19,624,000. With a population growth rate of: 2.35% (1999) and 2.133% (2009 est.)

The bordering countries are: in the East: the Republic of Ghana over 668 km; in the Northeast the Republic of Burkina Faso over 584; in the Northwest the Republic of Mali over 532; in the West the Republics of Guinea over 610 and Liberia over 716
It has a coastline of 515 km alongside the Gulf of Guinea.

Independence from France on August 7, 1960
National holiday: August 7

Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper.

Agriculture production: coffee, cocoa beans (first world producer), bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber.

Industrial production: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, automobile assembly, textiles, fertilizer, construction materials, electricity.

Cote-d'Ivoire was till the beginning of the civil war on September 19, 2002, the economic heavyweight of West-Africa's French speaking countries.

It represents 35.5% of the GNP (July 2008) - down from 40% in September 2002 and 60% in the 1980's - of West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) , which members' states are: Benin, Niger, Burkina-Faso, Mali, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Togo.

The economic performance of the country is based on agriculture and Ivory Coast is one of the world's largest producer and exporter of coffee, cocoa beans and palm oil. However, the economy is highly sensitive to the pricing fluctuations of these products on the international marketplace. Nevertheless, the country enjoyed twenty five years of sustained economic growth from 1960 to 1985, which increased steadily the per capita GNP to up to US$ 1,200 (1999) against an average of US$ 400 in surrounding countries.

From 1986, the economy began to stagnate and experienced negative growth. The 100% devaluation of Zone Franc's currency (CFA) on January 12, 1994 triggered a reverse of the downward trend and boosted the export of agricultural commodities: cocoa, coffee and the pineapple and rubber.

The national budget then garnered "huge" liquidity coming from the privatization of state's owned enterprises, the liberalization of the banking system, the discoveries of offshore oil and gas in addition to generous external financing and debt rescheduling granted by bilateral and international institutions financing bodies.

Government compliance to reforms requested by the IMF and the World Bank coupled with the impact of the CFA's 100% devaluation boosted the economic growth rate to 6% annually from 1996 to 1998.

However, from mid 1999 the economy slid backwards again. That was the direct consequence of the refusal by international aid donors to continue financing contribution - unless the Ivorian government takes necessary measures to stamp out corruption and strictly adhere to donor-mandated reforms.

From the same period the economic situation deteriorated further due to the political tension arising from obstacles set up by Bedie's regime to eliminate the main opposition leader - RDR's Alassane Dramane Ouattara - from October 2000's presidential ballot.

On December 24, 1999 a bloodless "coup" cooled down the political tension. Bedie was ousted from power. The reprieve, however, was just for a short term as the political situation did not clarified. Gueî, the beneficiary of the coup, backed by southerner political leaders added to the confusion: they adopted the "Ivoirité" concept - cooked by Bedie - which is in the center of the political crisis since 1996.

Finally, Alassane Dramane Ouattara - and several other candidates - were banned from running for the presidential ballot of October 22, 2000.

Amongst those allowed to run
was Laurent Gbagbo of the Ivorian Popular Front / "Front Populaire Ivoirien - FPI". The only "heavyweight" politician to confront General Robert Gueï.

The presidential ballot took place as scheduled on October 22, 2000 with a low turnout - 30% of the constituency casting ballots. Ouattara's RDR (The Democratic Rally for the Republic) boycotting. On October 25, 2000 Robert Gueï attempted to hijack the election canceling the votes' count and proclaiming himself head of state. His move was immediately challenged by Laurent Gbagbo's activists. They took to the streets (backed by Army troops - the Gendarmerie in particular) in Abidjan; San Pedro and Gagnoa in the Southwest; and Bouaké in the center of Cote d'Ivoire. Few hours of street riots were enough to topple Gueï's military regime.

On October 26, 2000, Alassane Dramane Ouattara's followers also took to the streets protesting against the recognition of Laurent Gbagbo as President-elect - contesting the election process. Chaos and confusion rocked through Abidjan. Mosques and churches set ablaze.

Since that date of October 26, 2000 a civil unrest and defiance atmosphere was perceptible in the Northern region against the national government.


The Gbagbo's regime did nothing to cool the situation. In the contrary, it implemented political decisions - in line with the Ivorité concept cooked by Bedie. That is to say the continual harassment of army staff originating from the North of the country; refusal to deliver ID cards to those who are not born from two Ivorian parents - the case of the majority of Northerners. Etc.

Feeling strangers in their own country, Northerners decided to topple Gbago's regime. They staged a rebellion on September 22, 2002 and succeeded capturing 60% of national territory.

ALL MEDIATIONS FAILED TO RECONCILE THE ANTAGONISTIC PARTIES

Since September 22, 2002 several diplomatic attempts had been made by the international community to mending fences between the antagonistic parties.

After the "failure" of several West African countries' mediations sponsored by Senegal's Wade and late Togo's Eyadema, France, the former colonial power, took over (January 2003) and "cooked" the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement that also established a Reconcilement Government

As soon as he was back to his turf, in Abidjan, Gbagbo, who attended the signature's ceremony at Paris but oddly enough did not sign the document, systematically sabotaged the Agreement's implementation. His followers and staunch activists - Les Jeunes Patriotes / Young Patriots - took to the streets with huge rallies to denounce the Agreement.

Worse, on November 4, 2004 he resumed the war launching air strikes against the rebels held towns of Bouaké and Korhogo.

During one of the strikes on Bouaké (the capital City of the Rebels), on November 6, 2004, a position monitored by La Force Licorne - French Peace Keeping Force in Ivory Coast - was hit. 9 French soldiers were killed and a score wounded. France's Jacques Chirac immediately ordered the destruction of Ivorian Air Defense equipment. French commandos wiped out two warplanes and six choppers depriving the Gbagbo's regime from its air striking power.

The destruction of the Ivorian Air Defense becomes then the pretext for Gbagbo's militia (Les Jeunes Patriotes) to go on rampage around Abidjan, rioting, attacking French economic interests and expatriates.

Several other meetings: Accra I, Accra II, Accra III - Pretoria I and Pretoria II failed to reconcile the antagonistic parties. Both sides making irreconciliable demands


1- Gbagbo' side asking for the disarmament of the "Rebels" to be implemented before any political settlement is agreed upon - and particularly for the presidential ballot to take place.

2- And the Rebels / Forces Nouvelles insisting that the disarmament should take place only after the presidential ballot took place.

- OUAGADOUGOU AGREEMENT: ANOTHER DEAD AGREEMENT OR FINALLY A NEW START?

On October 06, 2005, African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) adopted  political decisions, which had been translated on October 21, 2005, into UN' Security Council Resolution 1633 that could be summarized in four points:


1- Laurent Gbagbo's mandate as Ivory Coast's President ends on October 30, 2005. However, he should stay as Head of State for another year.

2- He has to transfer some executive powers to a new prime minister acceptable to all Ivorian parties.

3- The ministers of the new Reconcilement Government (designated by the parties which attended and signed Linas Marcoussis Agreement) would report to the Prime Minister.

4- The new Reconcilement Government to execute Linas Marcoussis and Accra III Agreements.

But 40 months further, in this February 2010, little progress was made as the presidential ballot scheduled initially for the end of October 2006 (UN's Resolution 1633) was cancelled - and postponed every following year.

Worse, on February 12, 2010, Gbagbo dissolved the Reconcilement Government and dismissed the head of the electoral commission - postponing the presidential ballot scheduled for February 28, 2010.

So, once again, Ivory Coast is tittering towards the abyss of civil war as the opposition leaders reacted harshly on February 13, 2010 with a common declaration that stated the following:

1- The decision made by Gbagbo on February 12, 2010 to dissolve the Reconcilement Government is illegal and amounts to a coup. Therefore Gbagbo is no more recognized by the opposition as head of state.

2- Consequently all his deeds and political decisions are null and void.

3- The population to mount massive protests rallies and see to it that Gbagbo is removed from power.

In the revocation decision Gbagbo stipulates that Guillaume Soro - the prime Minister of the dissolved government and also the Secretary General of the Forces Nouvelles - should present him with a new government and a new format for the electoral commission. That is a hazardous political move as a new government that does not copt in ministers from the main opposition parties seems now unlikely - based on the common declaration issued by the opposition parties above briefly outlined.

- GBAGBO PLAYING AGAINST THE PEACE PROCESS

The vague suspicion (from sober observers of the Ivorian political stage - since four years running) that Gbagbo was playing against the peace process is now a glaring evidence for everyone in the world.

His last gamble to stop the electoral process is a dangerous one, not only for the country political and social stability but also for his own standing as head of state - because he had willingly destroyed the legal basis of his appointment by the International Community.

One thing is sure, the political imbroglio that started with the coup of September 22, 2002 had reached a final turning point - for the better or the worse. The three coming months shall indicate which scenario would prevail.

Click here for Dynamic news headlines on Ivory Coast:


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SOME FIGURES


GNP:
US$ 8.09 billion (2002); 7.40 billion (2003); 6.47 billion (2004); 7.47 billion (2008)
GNP-real growth rate: -1.5% (2001); -8.5 (2003) -12.5 (2004); -8.5 (2006) -2.5 (2008)
GNP-per capita: US$ 520 (2000); 512 (2001); 505 (2002); 404 (2004); 390 (2008)

Click here for the difference between GNP and Parity Purchasing Power

GDP-composition by sector

  1. agriculture: 28%

  2. industry: 21%
  3. services: 51%

Exports: US$ 11.96 billion (f.o.b., 2008)
Commodities: cocoa 36%, coffee, tropical woods, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish
Imports: US$ 7.948 billion (f.o.b., 2008)
Commodities: food, consumer goods; capital goods, fuel, transport equipment, machinery.

FOR CURRENCY EQUIVALENCE CLICK HERE

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ENTRY POLICY / HEALTH POLICY


A passport - valid for at least six months after intended period of stay - and a visa are required for most nationalities.
International certificate of vaccination (yellow fever and cholera) is also required. To get more information contact the following Cote d'Ivoire's diplomatic representations

Canada
Cote d'Ivoire's Embassy
9 Marlborough Avenue, Ottawa,
Ontario K1N 8E6

Tel: +(1) 613 2369919
Fax: +(1) 613 5638287
ambaci@ican.net

England
Cote d'Ivoire's Embassy
2 Upper Belgrave St.
London SW1X 8BJ

Tel: +(44) 171 2356991
Fax: +(44) 171 2595320

USA
Cote d'Ivoire's Embassy
2424 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: +(1) 202 7970300
Fax: +(1) 202 2652454

France
Cote d'Ivoire's Embassy
24 Boulevard Suchet
75016 PARIS
Tel: +(33) 1 44 14 93 93
Fax: +(33) 1 45 20 21 60
http://www.cotedivoire.com/

AIR-LINKING / TRANSSHIPPING


The following companies service Abidjan:

AIR IVOIRE INTERNATIONAL, AIR SENEGAL INTERNATIONAL, AIR MAROC, BRITISH AIRWAYS, TAP, MEA, KLM, SWISSAIR, CATHAY PACIFIC, CORSAIR.

The port of Abidjan - the first and most active one for the UEMOA region - is a transshipping port for the landlocked countries of Burkina Faso and Mali.

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INVESTOR CONTACTS

Comité de Privatisation
Privatization Committee
01 BP 1141 ABIDJAN 01
Tel: +(225) 20 22 22 31 /
+(225) 20 22 22 32
Fax: +(225) 20 21 40 71

Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d'Ivoire (CEPICI)
Investments Promotion in Ivory Coast
BP V 152 ABIDJAN
Tel: +(225) 20 21 40 70
Fax: +(225) 20 21 40 71

Chambre de Commerce & d'industrie
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
01 BP 1390 ABIDJAN 01
Tel: +(225) 20 33 16 00
Fax: +(225) 20 32 39 42

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ACCOMMODATION


There are many hotels equipped and serviced to international standards located at the country economic center - Abidjan.
Total hotel capacity: 7300 rooms, of which 4000 are in Abidjan. Click here to choose an hotel in the hinterland or contact the Tourism office below listed.

Below are listed the Abidjan's most important hotels:

Ivoire Inter-Continental Abidjan
Boulevard de la Corniche
PO Box 1
Abidjan 08
Cote D'Ivoire
Tel: +(225) 20 44 10 45
Fax: +(225) 20 44 00 50
ivoire@interconti.com

Golf Hotel Inter-Continental
PO Box 18
La Riviera
Abidjan 08 Cote D'Ivoire
Tel: +(225) 20 43 10 44
Fax: +(225) 20 43 05 44
abidjan@interconti.com

Office du Tourisme (OITH)
01 BP 8538 ABIDJAN 01
Tel: +(225) 20 20 65 00
Fax: +(225) 20 22 56 24

Hotel SOFITEL
Boulevard de la Corniche
Tel: +(225) 20 22 11 22
Fax: +(225) 20 21 20 28


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