2023 What Political Issues Does Ivory Coast Face: Expert Tell You

Ivory Coast’s Historical Political Challenges

Since Ivory Coast achieved independence from France in 1960, the country has experienced numerous political challenges. It witnessed over 20 coups and coup attempts in the following decades[Ivory Coast Politics:Challenges Challenges]. Two civil wars broke out in 1999 and 2010-2011, costing the lives of thousands of Ivorians and displacing over one million people. Successive governments failed to build stability due to tensions between political parties, ethnic groups, and the military. Ethnic divisions, particularly between northern and southern regions, have been a source of political volatility for years.
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Economy and Governance: Key Concerns

Ivory Coast suffers from several economic and governance challenges that hinder its development. Its economy is highly dependant on agricultural exports, particularly cocoa which makes up around 40% of export revenues but less than 10% of GDP. The country has struggled to diversify into other sectors and reduce its vulnerability to commodity price fluctuations.

Some key economic issues include:

High poverty rate: Despite strong economic growth in recent years, over 40% of Ivorians live below the poverty line due to unequal distribution of wealth.
Corruption: The country ranks 101 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index and corruption is perceived as endemic in both the public and private sectors.
Bureaucratic inefficiency: Complex bureaucratic procedures and a cumbersome business environment hamper entrepreneurship and foreign investment. The World Bank ranks Ivory Coast 145 out of 190 countries in terms of ease of doing business.

On governance, Ivory Coast faces problems related to:

Lack of institutional stability: Weak institutions, ethnic divisions and political interference have undermined stability.
Security issues: Terrorist threats persist from Islamist militant groups, while cross-border crime remains a concern.
Logistical bottlenecks: Poor infrastructure, especially in the energy and transportation sectors, constrains economic activity.

Overall, addressing these economic and governance challenges will be critical for Ivory Coast‘s long-term stability and prosperity.

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The Role of Ethnicity in Ivorian Politics

Ethnic identity plays an important role in the politics of Ivory Coast. Tensions between the country’s major ethnic groups, particularly the Akan in the south and the Voltaic groups in the north, have shaped electoral competition and fueled periods of violence.

The main ethnic divisions are as follows:

The Akan in the south comprise around 42% of the population and have historically dominated politics and the economy. They also include the country’s largest subgroup, the Baoulé.
The Voltaic groups in the north and center make up around 17% of the population. They include the Senoufo, Lobi and Ceba.
The Krou in the west account for around 11% and have traditionally felt marginalized.
Other groups such as the Malinke and French descendants constitute around 30% of the population.

Ethnic identities became highly politicized after independence as different groups competed for power and resources. The central grievance of the northern groups has been their underrepresentation in the army, government and profitable sectors of the economy dominated by Akan elites.

This north-south divide was a major factor in the 2000-2011 civil war as President Laurent Gbagbo drew much of his support from the Akan south while rebels led by Alassane Ouattara were backed by the Voltaic north.

Overall, efforts to build a truly multi-ethnic nation that transcends communal identities have had mixed success. Balancing ethnic representation while promoting national unity remains an ongoing challenge for Ivory Coast.

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Political Stability: Progress and Obstacles

While Ivory Coast has seen some improvement in political stability since the end of its 2011 post-election crisis, the country still faces challenges that threaten its progress.

On the positive side:

The government of President Alassane Ouattara has overseen steady economic growth, reconstruction efforts, and the disarmament of former rebels.
Security has notably improved after Ouattara sidelined political hardliners and integrated former combatants into the military.
Reconciliation efforts such the 2013 National Dialogue and establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission aim to promote healing and prevent renewed conflicts.

However, Ivory Coast still faces obstacles to achieving lasting stability:

Tensions remain between the ruling and opposition parties as rivals of Ouattara claim he has marginalized them from positions of power.
Resurgent communal violence, particularly between farmers and herders in the north, has resulted in dozens of casualties and displaced thousands since 2018.[[Fulani in Ivory Coast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulani_in_Côte_d%27Ivoire Fulani Crisis]
Terrorist threats have emerged as jihadist groups in the Sahel move into coastal West Africa, with Islamist attacks reported in Bondoukou and neighboring Burkina Faso.
Underlying factors like ethnic divisions, unequal development and youth unemployment continue to stoke political grievances.
The Ivorian military remains a source of potential instability as some elements retain links to former regimes and rebel groups.

While Ouattara’s leadership has contributed to Ivory Coast’s progress, much work remains to resolve the deeper political, social and economic issues that have driven its instability. More inclusive governance, national reconciliation and equitable development will be crucial to sustainably resolve these challenges.

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International Relations and Diplomatic Challenges

While Ivory Coast seeks to strengthen its international influence and partnerships, it faces several diplomatic challenges that complicate its foreign relations.

With regard to West Africa, Ivory Coast aims to:

Play a bigger leadership role in the ECOWAS regional bloc and promote economic integration.
Deepen cooperation on security issues with neighbors facing similar threats from Islamist militants and organized crime.

However, Ivory Coast also faces regional diplomatic problems such as:

Tensions with Burkina Faso over the influx of Burkinabe migrants and cross-border terrorism.
Disputes with Ghana over their maritime border in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea.
Difficulties coordinating border security and migration policies with neighboring Mali, a state weakened by instability.

With other partners, Ivory Coast must navigate:

Negotiating trade agreements that benefit Ivorian businesses and exporters.
Managing its high levels of debt to China while maintaining good political relations.

-Addressing local grievances over the activities of Western and Chinese mining companies.

-Handling the flow of migrants transiting Ivory Coast from other African nations to Europe, many of whom become stranded.

Pursuing policies that mitigate the effects of climate change on the country’s agriculture-based economy.

Overall, developing a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy that addresses domestic political demands while securing Ivory Coast’s diplomatic and economic interests will remain a complex challenge in the years ahead. International partnerships and investments will also be crucial for supporting the country’s long-term stability and development.