Foreign relations of Ivory Coast

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Throughout the Cold War, Ivory Coast's foreign policy was generally favorable toward the West. In particular, Félix Houphouët-Boigny kept relations with France that was among the closest between any African country and a former colonial power. The country became a member of the United Nations at independence in 1960 and participates in most of its specialized agencies. It is also an associate member of the European Union. In general, President Bédié initiated and maintained relations with many countries of the European Union and Asia. Ivory Coast maintains a wide variety of diplomatic contacts.

Houphouët-Boigny was one of the first African leaders to establish ties with Israel. In 1973, first Ethiopia, then the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), broke ties with Israel as an act of solidarity with Arab members of the OAU. Virtually all of Africa followed suit including Ivory Coast. However, it was one of the first to re-establish relations with Israel in 1986. However it also maintains diplomatic relations with Palestine.

Ivory Coast also sought change in South Africa through dialogue, and its newly named ambassador was among the first to be accredited to post-apartheid South Africa. Ivory Coast's foreign relations suffered following the December 1999 coup that brought President Guei to power. Many foreign institutions (including the IMF) withheld foreign aid.

Most of the western international community, as well as the OAU, considered the October 2000 elections to have been seriously flawed. Foreign donor institutions which halted aid pending a return to civilian rule have largely continued their freeze. The London Club has also not expressed a willingness to revisit the issue of debt rescheduling. The electoral shifts in the country therefore continue to mar foreign relations.

Regional and international assistance, however, helped to end the conflict in 2002, and to bring about the establishment of a power sharing government in 2003. The cooperative stance augurs well for Ivory Coast's foreign relations.

Regional relations[]

The Ivorian government has historically played an important and constructive role in Africa. President Houphouët-Boigny was active in the mediation of regional disputes, most notably in Liberia and Angola. Ivory Coast is a member of the newly created OAU conflict resolution mechanism. In 1996-97 Ivory Coast sent a medical unit to participate in regional peacekeeping in Liberia, its first peacekeeping effort.

Ivory Coast is a member of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the African Mauritian Common Organization (OCAM), the Council of Entente Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Nonaggression and Defense Agreement (ANAD), INTELSAT, the Nonaligned Movement, the African Regional Satellite Organization (RASCOM), the Inter-African Coffee Organizations (IACO), the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), the Alliance of Cocoa Producers, African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP), and the Association of Coffee Producing Countries (ACPC). Ivory Coast also belongs to the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the African Development Bank.

Note: The political uprising of 2002 evoked critical regional dissonance, as well as incidences of xenophobia against nationals of neighboring countries residing in Ivory Coast. The long-term effects of this situation remained unknown in 2006.

Other important relations[]

In the past decade, Indo-Ivorian relations have considerably expanded as India seeks to develop an extensive commercial and strategic partnership in the West African region. Ivory Coast opened its resident mission in New Delhi in September 2004.[1] Both nations are currently fostering efforts to increase trade, investments and economic cooperation.[2]

United States-Ivorian relations were friendly and close up until the time of the coup in 1999. While many other countries in the region were undergoing repeated military coups, experimenting with Marxism, and developing ties with the Soviet Union and China, Ivory Coast, under former president Houphouët -Boigny, maintained a close political allegiance to the West. Having served as Ivory Coast's first ambassador to the U.S., former president Bédié was also familiar with the United States.

The United States was sympathetic to Ivory Coast's program of rapid, orderly economic development based on austerity measures as well as its moderate stance on international issues. However, bilateral U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding, with the exception of self-help and democratization funds, has been phased out.

On hold is the cultural exchange the United States and Ivory Coast maintained, 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.

Following the decision to bar the majority of parties from the October election, the United States removed all election observers and electoral funding. The U.S. also boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of President Gbagbo. The growing ties between Ivory Coast and Libya under President Gbagbo was seen as likely further harm U.S.-Ivorian relations. The political difficulties of 2002 have left Gbagbo in charge of a temporary power-sharing government in anticipation of new elections. In 2006, it remained difficult to know what the long-term effects would be.

Bilateral relations[]

Africa[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Angola
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Luanda.[3]
  • Angola has an embassy in Abidjan, which also functions as the non-resident embassy to Mali.[4][5]
 Burkina Faso
  • Burkina Faso has an embassy in Abidjan and a consulate in Bouake.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Ouagadougou.
  • There are 3 million Burkinabes reside in Ivory Coast in 2019.[6]
 Cameroon
  • Cameroon has an embassy in Abidjan.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Yaounde, which also functions as the non-resident embassy to Central African Republic.[7]
 Cape Verde
  • Cape Verde and Ivory Coast are all represented through their respective embassy in Dakar, Senegal.[8]
 Central African Republic
  • Central African Republic has an embassy in Abidjan.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon, functions as the non-resident embassy to Central African Republic.[9]
 Chad
 Ghana See Ghana–Ivory Coast relations

In 1989, after fifteen years of no progress, the Ghana-Ivory Coast border redemarcation commission finally agreed on the definition of the 640-kilometer border between the two countries. The PNDC thereafter worked to improve the transportation and communication links with both Ivory Coast and Togo, despite problems with both countries.[11]

By 1992 Ghana's relations with Ivory Coast were relatively good. Hopes for lasting improvement in Ghana's relations with its western neighbor, however, were quickly dashed following some ugly incidents in late 1993 and early 1994. They began on November 1, 1993, with the return of sports fans to Ivory Coast following a championship soccer match in Kumasi, Ghana, that had resulted in the elimination of Ivory Coast from competition. Ghanaian immigrants in Ivory Coast were violently attacked, and as many as forty or more Ghanaians were killed.[11]

  • Ghana has an embassy in Abidjan.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Accra.
 Gabon
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Liberville.[12]
  • Gabon has an embassy in Abidjan.
 Guinea 1978[13]
 Liberia
 Mali
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Bamako.[15]
  • Mali has an embassy in Abidjan and a consulate in Bouake.
 Nigeria
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Abuja, which also functions as the non-resident embassy to Benin.[16]
  • Nigeria has an embassy in Abidjan.
 South Africa
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Pretoria.
  • South Africa has an embassy in Abidjan.

Americas[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Canada 1962 See Canada–Ivory Coast relations
  • Canada has an embassy in Abidjan.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Ottawa.
 Mexico 13 November 1975 See Ivory Coast–Mexico relations
 United States See Ivory Coast–United States relations

Asia[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Cambodia 9 April 2008
  • Guillaume Soro visited Cambodia and met with President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin.
  • The two countries agreed to strengthen their diplomatic ties.
  • Soro pledged to seek possibilities to cooperate in the agricultural sector with Cambodia.
 China 2 March 1983 See China–Ivory Coast relations

According to Xavier Aurégan, PhD at the French Institute of Geopolitics,[22] from 1983 to 2013, there are approximately 174 Chinese official development finance projects in Côte d'Ivoire.[23] Of these 174 official development finance projects, 112 are approximately 12 billion euros. The most expensive project is the urban center in Abidjan (8.9 billion euros). In addition, infrastructure accounted for 86% of the Chinese public assistance. The majority of Chinese aid is granted during the Ivorian political crisis between 2002 and 2010. Under Laurent Gbagbo, 69% of aid is thus assigned.[24]

In Abidjan, Chinese nationals are about 2500. They mainly occur in the trade, Adjamé, or restoration, Cocody. They created about 100 companies.[25]

  • China has an embassy in Abidjan.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Guangzhou.
 India See India–Ivory Coast relations

The bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Ivory Coast have considerably expanded in recent years as India seeks to develop an extensive commercial and strategic partnership in the West African region . The Indian embassy in Abidjan was opened in 1979. Ivory Coast opened its resident mission in New Delhi in September 2004.[1] Both nations are currently fostering efforts to increase trade, investments and economic cooperation.[2]

 Indonesia July 1992
  • Indonesia is accredited to Ivory Coast through its embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
  • Ivory Coast is accredited to Indonesia through its embassy in Seoul, South Korea.[26]
 Japan 7 August 1960
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Tokyo.
  • Japan has an embassy in Abidjan.
 Lebanon
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Beirut.
  • Lebanon has an embassy in Abidjan.
 South Korea 1961-07-23
  • Ivory Coast is the first country in Africa to establish formal relations with South Korea, In August 1986 Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Won-kyung paid a visit to Ivory Coast. In May 1991, Special Envoy of the Korean President Kim Chang-hoon visited Ivory Coast. In June 1994, Special Envoy of the President Kim Chong-ho visited Ivory Coast. In January 1999 Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Hong Soon-young visited Ivory Coast and in February 2010 Korean Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Lee Yong-joon also paid a visit to Ivory Coast.[27]
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Seoul.
  • South Korea has an embassy in Abidjan.
 Vietnam 1975-10-06
  • Vietnam is accredited to Ivory Coast through a non-resident embassy based in Rabat, Morocco and an honorary consulate in Abidjan.
  • Ivory Coast is accredited to Vietnam through a non-resident embassy based in Beijing, China and an honorary consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.[28]
  • In 2019, Ivory Coast, along with the Philippines, has become the main importers of Vietnamese rice.

Europe[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Denmark
  • Denmark is accredited to Ivory Coast from its embassy in Accra, Ghana.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Copenhagen.
 France August 1960 See France–Ivory Coast relations

Despite electoral wrangling, Ivory Coast continues to maintain extremely close relations with France. President Houphouët-Boigny, who was a minister in the French colonial government prior to independence, insisted that the connection be maintained. President Chirac visited Ivory Coast soon after his election in 1995, followed by the French secretary of state and the ministers of foreign affairs and defense. Examples of Franco-Ivorian cooperation are numerous.

French is Ivory Coast's official language. Ivorian security is enhanced by a brigade of French marines stationed in Abidjan. Some 20,000 French expatriates continue to make their home in Ivory Coast, and the country's currency, the CFA franc, is tied to the French franc. France maintains a military base at Port Bouët and has assisted in the restructuring of the Ivorian armed forces. France was the first country to recognize the victory of President Gbagbo in the October 2000 elections. France was also instrumental in the military efforts in the country during the 2002-2003 civil conflict. In February 2009, the French government decided to withdraw half of the 1,800 French troops currently stationed in Ivory Coast; the French president saying "The security risk in Ivory Coast has abated and waiting for elections whose timing remains uncertain no longer justifies the maintenance of a full military presence".[29]

  • France has an embassy in Abidjan.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Paris and a consulate-general in Lyon.
 Portugal
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal is accredited to Ivory Coast from its embassy in Dakar, Senegal.
 Russia See Ivory Coast–Russia relations

Russia works on UN missions to help the people of Ivory Coast. The help is sometimes done from the Russian embassy in Abidjan, but is also done from the embassy in Accra, Ghana. From these point of view, Russia regarded the outcome of the extraordinary summit held in Dakar, Senegal, of the Economic Community for West African States.

 Spain See Ivory Coast–Spain relations
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Madrid.
  • Spain has an embassy in Abidjan.
 Turkey 1964[30] See Ivory Coast–Turkey relations
  • Côte d’Ivoire has an embassy in Ankara.[30]
  • Turkey has an embassy in Abidjan.[30]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was 409.7 million USD in 2019 (Ivory Coast's exports/imports: 188.8/220.9 million USD).[30]
  • There are direct flights from Istanbul to Abidjan since July 2012.[30]

Oceania[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Australia
  • Australia's High Commission in Accra, Functions as the non-resident embassy to Ivory Coast.
  • Ivory Coast has an embassy in Canberra.[31]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Foreign Relations of India-Ivory Coast" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2009. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  2. ^ a b "India to put $1bn in African oil". BBC. 2006-08-14. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  3. ^ "Accueil". Ivory Coast Embassy, Luanda (in French). Ivory Coast Embassy, Luanda. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Rede Diplomática" (in Portuguese). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Angola. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  5. ^ https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/437531576/angola-and-mali-keen-to-boost-bilateral-cooperation
  6. ^ "科特迪瓦国家概况". MOFA PRC (in Chinese). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (People's Republic of China). Retrieved 27 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Biographie de l´Ambassadeur". Ivory Coast Embassy, Yaounde (in French). Ivory Coast Embassy, Yaounde. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  8. ^ "José Filomeno Monteiro nomeado como embaixador de Cabo Verde em Hungria". terranova.cv. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  9. ^ "Biographie de l´Ambassadeur". Ivory Coast Embassy, Yaounde (in French). Ivory Coast Embassy, Yaounde. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Accueil". Ivory Coast Embassy, N'Djamena (in French). Ivory Coast Embassy, N'Djamena. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  11. ^ a b Owusu, Maxwell. "Relations with Immediate African Neighbors". A Country Study: Ghana (La Verle Berry, editor). Library of Congress Federal Research Division (November 1994). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.[1]
  12. ^ "Accueil". Ivory Coast Embassy, Gabon (in French). Ivory Coast Embassy, Gabon. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  13. ^ "几内亚国家概况". MOFA PRC (in Chinese). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (People's Republic of China). Retrieved 27 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ a b "MANO River Union Capacity Building and Technical Assistance for Institutional Strengthening". African Development Bank Group.
  15. ^ "Accueil". Ivory Coast Embassy, Mali (in French). Ivory Coast Embassy, Mali. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Accueil". Ivory Coast Embassy, Nigeria (in French). Ivory Coast Embassy, Nigeria. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  17. ^ Embassy of Ivory Coast in Mexico (in French and Spanish)
  18. ^ "Embassy of Mexico in Morocco (in Spanish)". Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  19. ^ Honorary consulate of Mexico in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
  20. ^ d'Amérique, Ambassade de Côte d'Ivoire aux Etats-Unis. "Ambassade de Côte d'Ivoire aux Etats Unis d'Amérique". Ambassade de Côte d'Ivoire aux Etats Unis d'Amérique. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  21. ^ "Homepage". U.S. Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  22. ^ http://chine-afriquedelouest.blogspot.fr/
  23. ^ Aurégan, Xavier, La Chine, d’un État honni à incontournable en Côte d’Ivoire. In : Croisements, N° 3, Séoul, 2013, pp. 86-111.http://croisements-revue.org/doc/Croisements3Extrait4-6.pdf
  24. ^ Aurégan, Xavier, La Chine en Côte d’Ivoire : le double jeu, Diploweb, avril 2011.http://www.diploweb.com/La-Chine-en-Cote-d-Ivoire-le.html
  25. ^ Aurégan, Xavier, Représentations, « intégrations » et organisations : les enjeux des dynamiques migratoires chinoises à Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire).http://www.cairn.info/revue-monde-chinois-2013-1-p-55.htm. Aurégan, Xavier, Les « communautés » chinoises en Côte d’Ivoire : analyse comparative de l’hétérogénéité des acteurs, de leur intégration et des territoires en Afrique de l’Ouest, Working Paper, Institut Français de Géopolitique, février 2012, 26 p. http://geopolitique.hypotheses.org/122
  26. ^ "Cote d'Ivoire". Indonesian embassy Dakar. Indonesian embassy Dakar. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  27. ^ http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/middleeast/countries/20070824/1_24451.jsp?menu=m_30_50
  28. ^ "TÀI LIỆU CƠ BẢN VỀ CỘNG HÒA BỜ BIỂN NGÀ (CỐT-ĐI-VOA) VÀ QUAN HỆ VỚI VIỆT NAM". BỘ NGOẠI GIAO (in Vietnamese). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Vietnam). Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  29. ^ "France plans major troop withdrawal from Côte d'Ivoire". Janes. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  30. ^ a b c d e "Relations between Turkey and Côte d'Ivoire".
  31. ^ "Ivory Coast Embassy, Canberra". Ivory Coast Embassy, Canberra (in French). Ivory Coast Embassy, Canberra. Retrieved 22 December 2021.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook website https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/.

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