In 2002, Ivory Coast was a nation with a population of more than 17 million people. Despite its long history and rich cultural heritage, the country had made great strides towards economic development and had become one of the most prosperous nations in West Africa. The economy was largely based on services and agricultural exports, though there were also manufacturing and tourism sectors beginning to emerge. According to computerannals, Ivory Coast had an estimated GDP per capita of $2,000 USD. Poverty levels were relatively high and many people lacked access to basic services such as healthcare and education. Infrastructure projects such as roads, ports, airports, and power plants had been completed but foreign investment was still lacking significantly. Additionally, the Ivorian government had implemented various economic reforms which opened up new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. However, due to political instability there were still many issues that needed to be addressed in order for Ivory Coast to reach its full potential in 2002.

Yearbook 2002

Ivory Coast. Reconciliation talks were held in the spring between the four most important politicians – President Laurent Gbagbo, former President Henri Konan Bédié, former military dictator Robert Guéi and former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara – to resolve the crisis with distinct ethnic and religious features that characterized the country for several years. The peace attempts prompted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to resume lending after several years of interruption. The so-called Paris Club written off part of the Ivory Coast’s foreign debt.

At the end of June, Alassane Ouattara was granted Ivorian citizenship. The crisis was largely due to his refusal to run for election because he was alleged to belong in Burkina Faso. Despite his citizenship, he was not expected to stand in the next presidential election, and tensions in the country continued. Local elections in July underlined the regional contradictions and turnout was low. In September, an armed revolt broke out with initially unclear aims. Robert Guéi was killed the first day, as was the Minister of the Interior. Ouattara fled to the French embassy after his home was demolished. He later left the country.

In Abidjan, the revolt was swiftly defeated, but the fighting continued in the north and harmed the lives of hundreds of people for four weeks. Tens of thousands of people fled. After a while, the rebels emerged under the name of the Ivory Coast’s patriotic movement and demanded Gbagbo’s departure, re-election and a new constitution.

According to Countryaah website, national day of Ivory Coast is every August 7. The government, more or less openly, claimed that the uprising was supported by Burkina Faso. The mobs expelled thousands of Burkese and Malian families from Abidjan’s slums and burned down their homes. After four weeks, the ceasefire came after mediation by the West African cooperation organization ECOWAS. French soldiers, sent to the Ivory Coast to evacuate foreigners, mainly Europeans and Americans, were set to monitor the standstill line.

ECOWAS decided to send a peacekeeping force to the Ivory Coast, but before it was put together, new fighting broke out in late November, this time in the country’s western parts. Two new rebel groups, the Justice and Peace Movement and the Ivorian People’s Movement in the Great West, demanded revenge for Robert Gué’s death and increased political influence for the yakuba ethnic group. In just a few days, they took control of several cities near the Liberian border. The army appealed to volunteers and hired mercenaries from, among others. France and South Africa.

In late autumn, there was strong concern that the Ivory Coast would be drawn into an equally devastating war as the former neighbors Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Ivory Coast Country Overview

Visa
Finnish citizen needs a visa when traveling to Côte d’Ivoire. Please check the instructions for applying for a visa.

• According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, IC stands for Ivory Coast.

Visa policies and rates are subject to change without notice depending on local authorities.

Vaccinations
Check the vaccination requirements at your health center or

Climate In
the southern part of Côte d’Ivoire you can enjoy the tropical climate of the coast while in the north the climate is drier and you can experience three seasons; warm and dry, hot and humid and hot and dry.

Travel Seasons
The best time to travel is October-March. Then the average temperature remains at 25 degrees and the rainfall is low.

Currency The currency of
Côte d’Ivoire is the CFA Franc (XOF), € 1 = approximately 657.5276 XOF.

Time
difference The time difference between Côte d’Ivoire and Finland is -2 hours in winter and -3 hours in summer.

Electric current
Ivory Coast’s electric current is 230 V (50Hz). An adapter is not required for Finnish devices.

Mobile phones
Check with your operator for the coverage of your mobile phone. The area code for Côte d’Ivoire is +225.