Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast: Power Shortage to Affect Region

Date: April 11th, 2007 |

Power shortages will occur from April through June as natural gas to run the country’s power stations is in short supply and a three-year drought has reduced hydroelectric power generation. The shortage will affect the neighboring countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo because they rely on the Ivory Coast for electrical power. If [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: January 8th, 2003 |

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Ongoing civil war has prompted KLM to announce the suspension of service between Amsterdam and Abidjan effective Feb. 3 through March 29. The move appears to be less a concern about safety than recognition that business has dropped significantly on the route. Air France still flies daily between Paris an [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: September 25th, 2002 |

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French troops were prepared to evacuate foreigners from Bouake, a rebel-held city sixty miles from the capital, Yamoussoukro, after a failed coup left scores dead and rebel troops surrounded. U.S. troops were also on the way to protect some 100 Americans trapped in Bouake. During the coup attempt, fighting also erupted in Abidjan, the commercial [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: September 20th, 2001 |

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For years a model of stability in West Africa, the Ivory Coast is growing increasingly volatile because of economic disparity, ethnic tensions and discrimination based on new citizenship laws. Residents who were born and raised here to parents who immigrated from neighboring countries have few rights, and are now mobilizing politically. Demonstrations have become more [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: February 4th, 2003 |

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The U. S. Embassy in Abidjan closed as a temporary security measure Feb. 3 because of scheduled demonstrations near the embassy chancery building, but expected to reopen within days, security conditions permitting. The political situation is volatile with anti-French demonstrations now occurring almost daily. Thousands of government supporters are upset with the French for brokering [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: December 3rd, 2002 |

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Intense fighting in the western cities of Danane and Man between the army and new rebel groups underscores the continued volatility of the country. The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan is operating with a skeleton staff and all other government personnel have been ordered out of the country, including families of Embassy employees. Travel outside Abidjan [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: November 6th, 2001 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan received an envelope containing an unidentified white powder Oct. 31. The area was sealed off until tests could determine if the material was hazardous, and the consular section was temporarily closed. Emergency assistance remains available for those contacting the consular section [read more]

Ivory Coast

Date: July 16th, 2001 |

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The country is in a difficult transition from military rule to democracy with parliamentary elections coming Dec. 10. The presidential election last month was fraught with political and ethnic unrest, and while passions have diminished, tensions are likely to remain high up to and beyond the elections. Defer travel here until the security situation is [read more]