Presented by Guillaume Onyeaghala
• Developing Country
• Yamoussoukro is the country’s
capital
• Abidjan is the largest city and
Economic Capital
• Population: 19,839,800 (as of
2012)
• Area: 322,460 km2
• Independence Date:
• Oct 31, 1960
• Natural Resources: petroleum,
natural gas, diamonds, manganese,
iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper,
gold, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil
• Official Language is French (spoken by about 60% of the population)
• More than 60 ethnic groups in the country
• Key groups being the Baoule (center), Senufo (north), Dioula (North west),
Bete (center-west), Agni (East) and Yacouba (center east)
• 1960 - Felix Houphouet-Boigny becomes 1st president of Cote d’Ivoire (1960
– 1993)
• Under his rule the country became an economically powerful francophone
Sub-Saharan colony
• In 2002, A civil war broke between the southern based troops and Northen
based insurgents
• Ethnic / religious concerns have been at the center of the civil war
•
•
•
•
•
A peace agreement between the government and the former rebel New
Forces was signed on 4 March 2007, and an election was held on October
31st and November 28th 2010.
The main candidates were President Laurent Gbagbo, who had a strong
support base in the south, against the long-time opposition leader and
former Prime Minister Allassane Ouattara, who had a strong support in the
north
The results were contested The presidency was disputed between Gbagbo
and Outtara from December 2010 to April 2011 but eventually pronounced
in favor of President Alassane Outtara.
Former President Gbagbo was extradited to the international criminal court
where he faces charges for war crimes committed during the civil war conflict
This conflict destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure, and thousands of
civilians relocated from the north to the south between 2002 and 2010,
creating social, economic and public health challenges
• The crisis left many schools and hospitals closed, and the country
is in the process of reopening these infrastructures
• Some news reports estimate that between 40 to 60 % of
children do not have access to regular education, with most of
these children living in the northern half of the country (Mostly
rural areas, and issues were compounded by the civil conflict)
• Since the security situation in Côte d'Ivoire has been improving
considerably in recent years, the government with the assistance
of Medecins Sans Frontiere (MSF), has began rebuilding the
infrastructure.
• The country is also dealing with the medical needs of internally
displaced people (IDPs) (about 24,000 according to the UN
refugee agency) who moved during the conflict.
• Ivory coast is also a center for refugees from Liberia and
Rwanda (with a population of about 3000 currently residing in
the country), and has had a close working relationship with the
International organization for Migration (IOM) to support this
population, even during the conflict.
• The biggest public health challenge that Ivory Coast currently faces is
its current HIV epidemic:
• According to Unicef, the national prevalence rate is estimated at 4.7%
(Highest among west African countries)
• 500,000 Ivorian children are orphaned and vulnerable due to HIV/AIDS,
40,000 currently live with HIV, and over 16,000 are infected each year.
• The country is currently addressing this issue by taking a cross-cutting
approach and collaborating with various organizations including UNICEF and
the CDC, and using health educators to prevent infection between adolescents
and young adults, improving screening to reduce mother to child transmission,
and providing protection an support to those affected by HIV, especially
orphaned children
• A useful link for further information:
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/cotedivoire_statistics.html
• The terrain in Ivory Coast is
varied, ranging from large
rain forests (south) to
savannahs (north)
• The country’s four main rivers
are the Komoe, the
Bandama, the Sassandra and
the Cavaly
• The diverse wildlife includes
Elephants, Red Buffalo, Lions,
Leopards, Crocodiles, and
many species of Birds and
Snakes
• 75% of the population are
registered Mobile users. Most
of the population is urban
areas is tech savvy, and very
familiar with western culture.
• Passionate Soccer Fans!
(unfortunately, the elephants
did not make it past the group
stage at the 2014 World Cup
)
• Also known for being the home
of several artists of
international fame, including
Alpha Blondy, Tikken Jah,
Magic System and many more!
Grand Bassam, one of the main
tourist resorts, east of Abidjan
Senufo Traditional Double
Mask
Basilica Our lady of Peace in
Yamoussoukro (one of the largest church
buildings in the world!)
Top to Bottom, Left to right:
Plantains, Attieke and chicken,
Pounded Plantains (goes with
stew), Rice Pilaf with Lamb