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Introducing Côte D’ivoire
Travel Alert: The security situation in Côte d'Ivoire is unpredictable; check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
Côte d’Ivoire was once the economic miracle of Africa and a role model for stability on the continent. Never completely breaking from their colonial masters, the post-independence leaders wooed French capital to build a modern infrastructure and considerable prosperity. The long-serving and charismatic first president, Houphouët-Boigny, promoted the notion of a happy amalgam of pragmatic Western capitalism with benign African values. The society he presided over, however, was far from liberal and the dream ended with his death. A consequent string of coups and popular insurgencies shook the country, and northern-led rebellion in 2002 violently split it in half. Most of the huge French-expat community jumped ship, and the economy has since crumbled. However, the country abounds in some of the best natural attractions in West Africa, such as Parc National de Taï’s vast patch of rainforest and the string of beaches along the Atlantic coast. It’s also a land rich in tradition due to a diverse tribal mix that includes Dan, Lobi, Baoulé and Senoufo peoples.
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Latest headlines for Côte D’ivoire
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Inside France's 'Barbarians' trial
9 July 2009 11:27PM
The BBC's Emma Jane Kirby reports on the 10-week trial in Paris of Youssouf Fofana, accused of the brutal murder of 23-year-old Jewish man, Ilan Halimi.
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Africans prepare to welcome Obama
8 July 2009 12:30PM
BBC News website readers in Africa talk about their hopes and expectations of the visit of US President Barack Obama to Ghana.
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Blood diamond scheme 'is failing'
24 June 2009 11:03AM
The Kimberley Process scheme, which aims to stem the use of diamonds to fund conflict, is failing, a campaign group warns.
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