Ivory's Past

     France made it's first contact with Ivory Coast in 1637. This contact was thank's to missionaries that landed in Assine near the coast of Ghana. In the 18 century related Akan groups Agni and the Baoule invaded Ghana. Bouet Williaumez signed a treaty with the kings of Grand Bassam and the Assine region in 1843-1844, having their territories protected by France. Ivory Coast became officially a colony colony of France in 1893. Captain Binger is said to be the first President, because he explored the frontier of Ghana. Felix Houphouet Biogny was the first President elected. Ivory Coast became independent from France in August 7, 1960.

     Government corruption and mismanagement led the country to the first coup on December 24, 1999. General Guei promised open elections. The election were programed for fall of 2000, but it was no longer possible. The Supreme Court disqualified the two candidates from the two major parties. The Rassemblement des Republicains (RDR) wanted a boycott, creating a low election between Guei and the Front Populaire Ivorian candidate (FPI) Laurent Gbagbo. When Guei found out that Gbagbo was in the lead he decided to stop the process declaring himself as winner. Soldiers joined the fight against the Junta government, forcing Guei to step away. Gbagbo was declared President for having the most votes.

     On September 19, 2002 rebels banish military personnel in Abidjan attacking the government minister, the government, the military and security facilities in Abidjan, Bouaka and Korhogo. The government in Abidjan stopped the coup attempt in hours, but the attacks resulted deadly taking the life of the minister and high rank military officers. The General Guei was killed. The government send an aggressive security operation to Abidjan were shantytowns were searched for weapons and rebels. The fall of the coup turned quickly into a rebellion, dividing the country in half. The rebels called themselves as the "Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast" (MPCI), which had control over Bouake, Korhogo and also the northern half of the country.

     In October 2002 the MPCI signed a casefire. On November 2002 the western part of the country was under the control of two new groups. The Ivorian Popular Movement for the Great West (MPIGO) and the Movement for Justice and the Peace (MJP). The MPIGO and the MJP were allied with the MPCI. The three groups called themselves as the "New Force". In January 2003 the Economic Community of West African States placed some 1,500 peacekeaping troops from five countries on the ground near the 4,000 French peacekeepers. The troops stayed in the east west casefire line, known as the Zone of Confidence dividing the country.

     In late of January 2003 the "New Force" agreed to share power and to work together with the government. On July 4, 2003 the "New Force" and the government signed the "End of War" recognizing Gbagbo authority as President.

U.S Department of State