COTE D’IVOIRE

INDEPENDENCE Was First Colonized as a French

territory (officially in 1893) By 1960 France granted them

Independence and named Felix Houphouet-Boigny president

Was Peaceful until 2002 when civil war broke

IMPERIALISM’S EFFECTS Positives

Created wealth Spread economic growth French control = national security

Negatives Since gaining independence, periods of

“popular unrest” Civil war

CURRENT ISSUES Held election in December, 2010

Incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, refuses to step down

Challenger, Alassane Ouattara, has barricaded himself with protection from UN

Gbagbo has ordered UN and French peacekeepers to leave the country immediately

Over 200 people have died since the election and attacks on civilians are frequent