International Peacemaking and Human Rights Programs - Cote d'lvoire

Activities by Country

Côte d'Ivoire

The Carter Center–through election monitoring–has supported the political transition and restoration of peace in Côte d'Ivoire, following years of civil war and turbulance.

Waging Peace

The Carter Center has been present in Côte d'Ivoire since 2008 to monitor long-delayed elections, finally held on Oct. 31, 2010, which were a key element in resolving the political crisis that had kept the country divided since 2002. Credible but disputed elections unfortunately led to a political crisis that fueled violence for months, until former President Laurent Gbagbo was detained in April 2011. The Center returned to Côte d'Ivoire to observe December 2011 legislative elections, which took place in a fragile political and social context.

Read full text on the Carter Center's peace work in Côte d'Ivoire >

Fighting Disease

When Côte d'Ivoire joined the Guinea worm eradication campaign in 1995, there were a recorded 3,421 cases in 252 Ivoirian villages. Today, the country is Guinea-worm-free and reaping the health benefits of this remarkable achievement.

Read full text on the Carter Center's health work in Côte d'Ivoire >

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QUICK FACTS: COTE D'IVOIRE

Population: 18,013,409

Size: 322,460 square kilometers

Life expectancy: 49 years

Ethnic groups: Akan, 42.1 percent; Voltaiques or Gur; Northern Mandes; Krous; Southern Mandes; other (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French)

Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken

Population below poverty line: 37 percent

Average annual income: $870 USD

(Source: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook 2008; The World Bank 2006)

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