Côte d'Ivoire's Foreign Relations
Relations With AfricaThe first president, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, was active in mediation efforts of Liberian and Angolan regional disputes and gained continent-wide respect for his participation. The nation also called for an end to apartheid in South Africa and engages in peacekeeping efforts in the African area. President Henri Konan Bedie declared during the .90s that Côte d'Ivoire would be more active in peacekeeping in the future.
Côte d'Ivoire is signatory to the following agreements and party to the organizations:
- The Organization of African Unity (OAU)
- West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA)
- African Mauritian Common Organization (OCAM)
- Council of Entente Communaute Financiere Africane (CFA)
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
- Nonaggression and Defense Agreement (ANAD)
- INTELSAT
- Nonaligned Movement
- African Regional Satillite Organization (RASCOM)
- InterAfrican Coffee Organizations (IACO)
- International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
- Alliance of Cocoa Producers, African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP)
- Association of Coffee Producing Countries (ACPC)
- the African Development Bank
- the European Investment Bank (EIB) (it is an associate member of European Union)
In 1960, Côte d'Ivoire joined the United Nations. Favoring the West throughout the Cold War, it participated in most of the specialized UN agencies. Formerly a colony of France, the country has maintained exceptionally close relations with them throughout history. Before independence, President Houphouet-Boigny was a minister in the French government; he insisted after his inauguration that the intimate relationship would continue. As a result of this connection, Côte d'Ivoire.s national language is French, the nation.s currency (the CFA Franc) is pegged to the French Franc, and there are large numbers of French expatriates and marines in country. France is also the most important foreign investor, accounting of late for about 25% of the cumulative capital in Ivorian enterprises and more than 50% of the total stock of foreign investment capital.
Côte d'Ivoire also maintains close relations with the United States, which provides for much of its anti-HIV/AIDS funding. Of late, however, US-Ivorian interactions have been strained as a result of US non-humanitarian intervention on Côte d'Ivoire after the coup in December of .99. Governmental meddling with elections has led to a suspension of elections from 2000 until this year. The US also participated in ECOWAS.s effort to maintain the ceasefire in Côte d'Ivoire and has tried to assist the rapid development of its economy. US aid has been reduced, and Côte d'Ivoire depends more heavily on regional West African programs.
International IssuesCôte d'Ivoire has no international disputes at the current time, although it does illicitly produce cannabis and is a major port of call for drug-running ships.
~SW