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CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Compiled from the January 2005 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes. Official Name: PROFILEGeographyArea: 322,500 sq. km. (124,500 sq. mi.); slightly larger than New Mexico. Cities: Principal city—Abidjan (economic capital, de facto political capital). Capital—Yamoussoukro (official). Other cities—Bouake, Daloa, Gagnoa, Korhogo, Man, San Pedro. Terrain: Forested, undulating, hilly in the west. Climate: Tropical. PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective—Ivoirian(s). Population: (2003 est.) 18,100,000, including immigrants. Population density is 56 persons per sq. km. (145 per sq. mi.). Foreign national population includes about 130,000 Lebanese, 20,000 French. Annual growth rate: 3.8%, with immigration. Ethnic groups: More than 60. Religions: Indigenous 10%-20%, Muslim 35%-40%, and Christian (Catholic, Protestant and other denominations) 25%-35%. Languages: French (official); five principal language groups. Education: Years compulsory—school is not compulsory at this time. Attendance—57%. Literacy—51%. Health: Infant mortality rate—111/1,000. Life expectancy—46 years. GovernmentType: Republic. Independence: August 7, 1960. Branches: Executive—president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative—unicameral National Assembly. Judicial—Supreme Court (3 chambers: judicial, administrative, auditing); Constitutional Council. Administrative subdivisions: 19 regions, 58 departments, 196 communes. Political parties: Front Populaire Ivoirien (FPI), Parti Democratique de la Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI), Rassemblement des Republicaines (RDR), Union pour la Democratie et pour la Paix en Côte d'Ivoire (UDPCI), numerous other smaller political parties operate in Côte d'Ivoire. Suffrage: Universal at 18. EconomyGDP: (2003 est.) $15.3 billion. Annual real growth rate: Real GDP declined by 1.5% in 2002. Although final figures are not yet available, no positive growth is expected for 2003. Per capita income: (2003) $669. This represents a 5.5% decline from 1999. Natural resources: Petroleum (off-shore) discovered in 1977, production began in 1980; output in 2002 was 5.8 million barrels per year. Diamonds: 75,000 carats produced in 1996. Gold mining began in early 1990s. Agriculture: (26% of GDP, 2001) Products—cocoa, coffee, timber, rubber, corn, rice, tropical foods. Industry: (22% of GDP, 2001) Types—food processing, textiles. Services: (2001) 52% of GDP. Trade: (2002) Exports (42.8% of GDP)—cocoa, coffee, timber, rubber, cotton, palm oil, pineapples, bananas. Major markets—U.S., France, Germany, Netherlands. Total imports (21.1% of GDP; U.S. imports, $376.5 million)—consumer goods, basic foodstuffs (rice, wheat), capital goods. Major suppliers—France, Nigeria, U.S., EU, Japan. PEOPLECôte d'Ivoire has more than 60 ethnic groups, usually classified into five principal divisions: Akan (east and center, including Lagoon peoples of the southeast), Krou (southwest), Southern Mande (west), Northern Mande (northwest), Senoufo/Lobi (north center and northeast). The Of the more than 5 million non-Ivoirian Africans living in Côte d'Ivoire, one-third to one-half are from Burkina Faso; the rest are from Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Liberia, and Mauritania. The non-African expatriate community includes roughly 20,000 French and possibly 100,000 Lebanese. As of mid-November 2004, thousands of expatriates, African and non-African, have fled from the violence in Côte d'Ivoire. The number of elementary school-aged children attending classes increased from 22% in 1960 to 67% in 1995. HISTORYThe early history of Côte d'Ivoire is virtually unknown, although it is thought that a Neolithic culture existed. France made its initial contact with Côte d'Ivoire in 1637, when missionaries landed at Assignee near the Gold Coast (now Ghana) border. Early contacts were limited to a few missionaries because of the inhospitable coastline and settlers' fear of the inhabitants. In the 18th century, the country was invaded from present-day Ghana by two related Akan groups—the Agnis, who occupied the southeast, and the Baoules, who settled in the central section. In 1843-44, Admiral Bouet-Williaumez signed treaties with the kings of the Grand Bassam and Assinie regions, placing their territories under a French protectorate. French explorers, missionaries, trading companies, and soldiers gradually extended the area under French control inland from the lagoon region. However, complete pacification was not accomplished until 1915. French PeriodCôte d'Ivoire officially became a French colony in 1893. Captain Binger, who had explored the Gold Coast frontier, was named the first governor. He negotiated boundary treaties with Liberia and the United Kingdom (for the Gold Coast) and later started the campaign against Almany Samory, a Malinke chief, who fought against the French until 1898. From 1904 to 1958, Côte d'Ivoire was a constituent unit of the Federation of French West Africa. It was a colony and an overseas territory under the French Third Republic. Until the period following World War II, governmental affairs in French West Africa were administered from Paris. France's policy in West Africa was reflected mainly in its philosophy of "association," meaning that all Africans in Côte d'Ivoire were officially French "subjects" without rights to citizenship or representation in Africa or France. During World War II, France's Vichy regime remained in control until 1943, when members of Gen. Charles de Gaulle's provisional government assumed control of all French West Africa. The Brazzaville Conference in 1944, the first Constituent Assembly of the French Fourth Republic in 1946, and France's gratitude for African loyalty during World War II led to far-reaching governmental reforms in 1946. French citizenship was granted to all African "subjects," the right to organize politically was recognized, and various forms of forced labor were abolished. A turning point in relations with France was reached with the 1956 Overseas Reform Act (Loi Cadre), which transferred a number of powers from Paris to elected territorial governments in French West Africa and also removed remaining voting inequalities. IndependenceIn December 1958, Côte d'Ivoire became an autonomous republic within the French community as a result of a referendum that brought community status to all members of the old Federation of French West Africa except Guinea, which had voted against association. Côte d'Ivoire became independent on August 7, 1960, and permitted its community membership to lapse. Côte d'Ivoire's contemporary political history is closely associated with the career of Felix Houphouet-Boigny, President of the republic and leader of the Parti Democratique de la Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) until his death on December 7, 1993. He was one of the founders of the Rassemblement Democratique Africain (RDA), the leading pre-independence inter-territorial political party in French West African territories (except Mauritania). Houphouet-Boigny first came to political prominence in 1944 as founder of the Syndicat Agricole Africain, an organization that won improved conditions for African farmers and formed a nucleus for the PDCI. After World War II, he was elected by a narrow margin to the first Constituent Assembly. Representing Côte d'Ivoire in the French National Assembly from 1946 to 1959, he devoted much of his effort to inter-territorial political organization and further amelioration of labor conditions. After his 13-year service in the French National Assembly, including almost 3 years as a minister in the French Government, he became Côte d'Ivoire's first Prime Minister in April 1959, and the following year was elected its first President. In May 1959, Houphouet-Boigny reinforced his position as a dominant figure in West Africa by leading Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Upper Volta (Burkina), and Dahomey (Benin) into the Council of the Entente, a regional organization promoting economic development. He maintained that the road to African solidarity was through step-by-step economic and political cooperation, recognizing the
principle of nonintervention in the internal affairs of other African states. 1999 Coup and AftermathIn a region where many political systems are unstable, Côte d'Ivoire showed remarkable political stability from its independence from France in 1960 until late 1999. Under Felix Houphouet-Boigny, President from independence until his death in December 1993, Côte d'Ivoire maintained a close political allegiance to the West while many countries in the region were undergoing repeated military coups, experimenting with Marxism, and developing ties with the Soviet Union and China. His successor, President Henri Konan Bedie, was familiar with the U.S., having served as Côte d'Ivoire's first ambassador to the U.S. Falling world market prices for Côte d'Ivoire's primary export crops of cocoa and coffee put pressure on the economy and the Bedie presidency. Government corruption and mismanagement led to steep reductions in foreign aid in 1998 and 1999, and eventually to the country's first coup on December 24, 1999. Following the bloodless coup, General Guei formed a government of national unity and promised open elections. A new constitution was Elections were scheduled for fall 2000, but when the general's hand-picked Supreme Court disqualified all of the candidates from the two major parties—the PDCI and Rassemblement des Republicaines (RDR)—Western election support and monitors were withdrawn. The RDR called for a boycott, setting the stage for low election turnout in a race between Guei and Front Populaire Ivoirien (FPI) candidate Laurent Gbagbo. When early polling results showed Gbagbo in the lead, Guei stopped the process—claiming polling fraud—disbanded the election commission, and declared himself the winner. Within hours Gbagbo supporters took to the streets of Abidjan. A bloody fight followed as crowds attacked the guards protecting the presidential palace. Many gendarmes and soldiers joined the fight against the junta government, forcing Guei to flee. Having gained the most votes, Gbagbo was declared President. The RDR then took the streets, calling for new elections because the Supreme Court had declared their presidential candidate and all the candidates of the PDCI ineligible. More violence erupted as forces loyal to the new government joined the FPI youth to attack RDR demonstrators. Hundreds were killed in the few days that followed before RDR party leader Alassane Ouattara called for peace and recognized the Gbagbo presidency. On January 7, 2001, another coup attempt shattered the temporary calm. However, some weeks later, in the spring, local municipal elections were conducted without violence and with the full participation of all political parties. The RDR, who had boycotted the presidential and legislative elections, won the most local seats, followed by the PDCI and FPI. Some economic aid from the European Union began to return by the summer of 2001, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) re-engaged the government. Questions surrounding severe human rights abuses by the government during the presidential and legislative elections of 2000 remain unresolved (e.g., the mass grave at Yopougon), but day-to-day life began to return to normal. In August 2002, President Gbagbo formed a de facto government of national unity that included the RDR party. On September 19, 2002, rebellious exiled military personnel and co-conspirators in Abidjan simultaneously attacked government ministers and government and military/security facilities in Abidjan, Bouake, and Korhogo. In Abidjan, government forces stopped the coup attempt within hours, but the attacks resulted in the deaths of Minister of Interior Emile Boga Doudou and several high-ranking military officers. General Guei was killed under still-unclear circumstances. Almost immediately after the coup attempt, the government launched an aggressive security operation in Abidjan, whereby shantytowns—occupied by thousands of immigrants and Ivoirians—were searched for weapons and rebels. Government security forces burned down or demolished a number of these shantytowns which displaced over 12,000 people. The failed coup attempt quickly evolved into a rebellion, splitting the country in two and escalating into the country's worst crisis since independence in 1960. The rebel group, calling itself the "Patriotic Movement of Côte d'Ivoire" (MPCI), retained control in Bouake and Korhogo, and within 2 weeks moved to take the remainder of the northern half of the country. In mid-October 2002, government and MPCI representatives signed a ceasefire and French military forces already present in the country agreed to monitor the cease-fire line. In late November 2002, the western part of the country became a new military front with the emergence of two new rebel groups—the Ivoirian Popular Movement for the Great West (MPIGO) and the Movement for Justice and Peace (MJP). MPIGO and MJP were allied with the MPCI, and the three groups subsequently called themselves the "New Forces." In January 2003, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) placed approximately 1,500 peacekeeping troops from five countries—Senegal (commander), Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Niger—on the ground beside the 3,000 French peacekeepers. The troops maintained the east-west ceasefire line dividing the country. In late January 2003, the country's major political parties and the New Forces signed the French-brokered Linas-Marcoussis Accord (LMA), agreeing to a power-sharing national reconciliation government to include rebel New Forces representatives. The parties agreed to work together on modifying national identity, eligibility for citizenship, and land tenure laws which many observers see as among the root causes of the conflict. The LMA also stipulated a UN Monitoring Committee to report on implementation of the accord. Also in January 2003, President Gbagbo appointed Seydou Diarra as the consensus Prime Minister. In March 2003, Prime Minister Diarra formed a government of national reconciliation of 41 ministers. The full government did not meet until mid-April, when international peacekeepers were in place to provide security for rebel New Forces ministers. On July 4, 2003, the government and New Forces militaries signed an "End of the War" declaration, recognized President Gbagbo's authority, and vowed to work for the implementation of the LMA and a program of Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR). On September 13, 2003, six months after the formation of the reconciliation government, President Gbagbo named politically neutral Defense and Security Ministers, after consulting with the political parties and New Forces. 2004 saw serious challenges to the Linas-Marcoussis Accord. Violent flare-ups and political deadlock in the spring and summer led to the Accra III talks in Ghana. Signed on July 30, 2004 the Accra III Agreement reaffirmed the goals of the LMA with specific deadlines and benchmarks for progress. Unfortunately, those deadlines–late GOVERNMENTCôte d'Ivoire's constitution of the Second Republic (2000) provides for a strong presidency within the framework of a separation of powers. The executive is personified in the president, elected for a 5-year term. The president is the head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces, may negotiate and ratify certain treaties, and may submit a bill to a national referendum or to the National Assembly. According to the constitution, the president of the National Assembly assumes the presidency for 45-90 days in the event of a vacancy and organizes new elections in which the winner completes the remainder of the deceased president's term. The president selects the prime minister, who is the head of government. The cabinet is selected by and is responsible to the prime minister. The unicameral National Assembly is composed of 225 members elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term concurrently with the president. It passes on legislation typically introduced by the president, although it also can introduce legislation. The judicial system culminates in the Supreme Court. The High Court of Justice is competent to try government officials for major offenses. There is also an independent Constitutional Council which has seven members appointed by the president that is responsible for, inter alia, the determination of candidate eligibility in presidential and legislative elections, the announcement of final election results, the conduct of referendums, and the constitutionality of legislation. For administrative purposes, Côte d'Ivoire is divided into 19 regions and 58 departments. Each region and department is headed by a prefect appointed by the central government. In 2002, the country held its first departmental elections to select departmental councils to oversee local infrastructure development and maintenance as well as economic and social development plans and projects. There are 196 communes, each headed by an elected mayor, plus the city of Abidjan with 10 mayors. Principal Government OfficialsLast Updated: 4/1/03 President: Gbagbo, Laurent Côte d'Ivoire maintains an embassy at 3421 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007; tel: 202-797-0300. POLITICAL CONDITIONSLaurent Gbagbo has been President since October 26, 2000. Gbagbo took power following a popular uprising supporting his election victory after junta leader Gen. Robert Guei claimed a dubious victory in the 2000 presidential elections. General Guei had assumed power on December 25, 1999, following a military coup d'etat against the government of former President Henri Konan Bedie. Coup attempts in 2001 and 2002 escalated into a rebellion and crisis which culminated in the January 2003 signing of an accord for a power-sharing national reconciliation government. Implementation of the 2003 accord has made halting progress, and Côte d'Ivoire remains divided, with rebels occupying some areas of the country. Côte d'Ivoire's relations with the U.S. have traditionally been excellent, but have been somewhat strained since Section 508 restrictions curtailed nonhumanitarian aid following the December 1999 military coup. The restrictions were not lifted following the 2000 elections due to questionable governmental interference before and during the election. Looking toward the country's future, the fundamental issue is whether its political system following the upheavals of recent years will provide for enduring stability, which is critical for investor confidence and further economic development. The political system in Côte d'Ivoire is president-dominated. The prime minister concentrates principally on coordinating and implementing economic policy. The key decisions—political, military, or economic—continue to be made by the president. However, political dialogue is much freer today than prior to 1990, especially due to the opposition press, which vocalizes its criticism of the regime. Beginning in 1990, Côte d'Ivoire evolved, with relatively little violence or dislocation, from a single-party state. Opposition parties, independent newspapers, and independent trade unions were made legal at that time. Since those major changes occurred, the country's pace of political change had been slow, prior to the period of turmoil ushered in by the December 1999 coup. Whether further democratic reform will take place, adequate to meet future challenges, is unknown. As is generally true in the region, the business environment is one in which personal contact and connections remain important, where rule of law does not prevail with assurance, and where the legislative and judicial branches of the government remain weak. The political system is becoming less centralized, with the president stepping out of his role as ruling party leader, while attempting to decentralize many legislative functions. President Gbagbo has promised less executive interference in the judicial system, but it still lacks basic strength and independence. Côte d'Ivoire has a high population growth rate, a high crime rate (particularly in Abidjan), a high incidence of AIDS, a multiplicity of tribes, sporadic student unrest, a differential rate of in-country development according to region, and a dichotomy of religion associated with region and tribe. These factors put stress on the political system and could become more of a problem if the government does not succeed in implementing the reforms enshrined in the 2003 Linas-Marcoussis Accord and if the economy does not return to consistent growth. Political PartiesThe Ivoirian constitution affords the legislature some independence, but it has not been widely exercised. Until 1990, all legislators were from the PDCI. The December 2000 National Assembly election was marred by violence, irregularities, and a very low participation rate. Largely because of the RDR boycott of the election to protest the invalidation of the candidacy of party president Alassane Ouattara, the participation rate was only 33%. In addition, the election could not take place in 26 electoral districts in the north because RDR activists disrupted polling places, burned ballots, and threatened the security of election officials. Following the legislative by-elections in January 2001, 223 of the 225 seats of the National Assembly were filled. The FPI held 96 seats, the PDCI 94 seats, the PIT 4 seats, very small parties 2 seats, independent candidates 22 seats, and the RDR—in spite of its boycott of the legislative elections—5 seats. Until it took the reins of government in the 2000 elections, the FPI party was the oldest opposition party. Moderate in outlook, it has a socialist coloration but one which was more concerned with democratic reform than radical economic change. It is strongest in the Bete ethnic areas (southwest) of President Laurent Gbagbo. The PDCI's "core" region may be described as the terrain of the Baoule ethnic group in the country's center and east, home of both Houphouet-Boigny and Bedie; however, the PDCI is represented in all parts of Côte d'Ivoire. Former members of the PDCI's reformist wing formed the originally non-ideological RDR in September 1994. They hoped that former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara would run and prevail in the 1995 presidential election, but Ouattara was subsequently disqualified by Bedie-sponsored legislation requiring 5-year residency. The RDR is now strongest in the mostly Muslim north. The FPI and RDR boycotted the presidential election of October 1995 because of Ouattara's disqualification and the absence of an independent electoral commission, among other grievances. Their "active boycott" produced a certain amount of violence and hundreds of arrests, with a number of those arrested not tried for 2-1/2 years. These grievances remained unresolved, adding to the political instability leading to the 1999 coup. ECONOMYThe Ivoirian economy is largely market-based and depends heavily on the agricultural sector. Between 60% and Foreign Direct Investment StatisticsDirect foreign investment plays a key role in the Ivoirian economy, accounting for between 40% and 45% of total capital in Ivoirian firms. France is overwhelmingly the most important foreign investor. In recent years, French investment has accounted for about one-quarter of the total capital in Ivoirian enterprises, and between 55% and 60% of the total stock of foreign investment capital. InfrastructureBy developing country standards, Côte d'Ivoire has an outstanding infrastructure. There is an excellent network of more than 8,000 miles of paved roads; good telecommunications services, including a public data communications network, cellular phones, and Internet access. There are two active ports. Abidjan is the most modern in West Africa and the largest between Casablanca and Cape Town on the West African littoral. Rail links from the port north into Burkina Faso are being upgraded. There is regular air service within the region and to and from Europe and modern real estate developments for commercial, industrial, retail, and residential use. Despite the crisis that erupted in September 2002, Côte d'Ivoire's location and easy, reliable connection to neighboring countries continues to make it a preferred platform from which to conduct West African operations. Abidjan remains one of the most modern and livable cities in the region. Its school system is good by regional standards and includes an international school—whose enrollment dropped sharply due to the crisis—based on U.S. curriculum and several excellent French-based schools. Recent political and economic problems have delayed Côte d'Ivoire's planned public investment program. The government's public investment plan accords priority to investment in human capital, but it also will provide for significant spending on economic infrastructure needed to sustain growth. Continued infrastructure development has been brought into question because of private sector uncertainty. In the new environment of government disengagement from productive activities and in the wake of recent privatization, anticipated investments in the petroleum, electricity, water, and telecommunications sectors, and in part in the transportation sector, will be financed without any direct government intervention. A return to political and economic stability is critical if Côte d'Ivoire is to realize its potential in the region. Major Trends and OutlooksSince the colonial period, Côte d'Ivoire's economy has been based on the production and export of tropical products. Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries account for more than one-third of GDP and two-thirds of exports. Côte d'Ivoire produces 40% of the world's cocoa crop and is a major exporter of bananas, coffee, cotton, palm oil, pineapples, rubber, tropical wood products, and tuna. The 1994 devaluation of the CFA franc and accompanying structural adjustment measures increased the international competitiveness of the agricultural, light industrial, and service sectors. However, reliance on raw cocoa and coffee exports, which account for 40% of total exports, exposes the economy to the ups and downs of international price swings. To reduce the economic exposure to price variability, the government encourages export diversification and intermediate processing of cocoa beans. The 1994 devaluation of the CFA franc helped return Côte d'Ivoire to rapid economic growth until the slowdown evident by 1999. Increased aid flows, rigorous macroeconomic policies, and high international commodity prices, along with devaluation, yielded 6%-7% annual GDP growth rates from 1994-98. Côte d'Ivoire also benefited from Paris Club debt rescheduling in 1994, a London Club agreement in 1996, and the 1997 G-7 decision to include Côte d'Ivoire in the IMF-World Bank debt forgiveness initiative for highly indebted poor countries. With the economic improvement, Côte d'Ivoire began turning the corner on its daunting debt load. For several years running, it met its IMF targets for growth, inflation, government finance, and balance of payments. Government revenues increased, which in combination with spending restraint resulted in 3 years of primary surpluses (that is, receipts minus expenditure, excluding borrowing and debt service). Following a concerted government repayment effort, domestic arrears were virtually eliminated by the end of 1996. The pre-devaluation stagnation which caused local businesses and potential outside investors to delay capital expenditures accentuated the post-devaluation investment boom. Lower inflation followed as the government kept a tight lid both on salary increases and on the size of the public sector work force devaluation and has continued with the economic slowdown of the last several years. The consumer price index measure of inflation slid from 13.6% in 1995 to 5.4% in 1997 and 0.7% in 1999. Through the first three quarters of 2003, inflation was estimated at 3.0%, according to the Ivoirian Institute of Statistics. In the past several years, economic decline has resulted in declining THE NATIONAL SECURITY FORCES, MILITARY, AND GENDARMESince the outbreak of the rebellion in September 2002 that split the country, the military has reorganized. The former system that broke down the country into five military regions no longer exists. The 20,000-man Ivoirian armed forces (FANCI) include an army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie. The Joint Staff is assigned to the FANCI headquarters in Abidjan. A two-star officer serves as the chief of staff and commander of the FANCI. The gendarmerie is roughly equivalent in size to the army. It is a national police force which is responsible for territorial security, especially in rural areas. In times of national crisis the gendarmerie could be used to reinforce the army. The gendarmerie is commanded by a brigadier-general. Côte d'Ivoire has a brown-water navy whose mission is coastal surveillance and security for the nation's 340-mile coastline. It has two fast-attack craft, two patrol crafts, and one light transport ship. It also has numerous smaller vessels used to control immigration and contraband within the lagoon system. The Ivoirian Air Force's mission is to defend the nation's airspace and provide transportation support to the other services. Within its inventory are at least 5 Alpha jets, 12 transport/utility aircraft, and 2 helicopters, though additional aircraft were purchased following the September 2002 coup attempt/mutiny. A mutual defense accord signed with France in 1961 provides for the stationing of French forces in Côte d'Ivoire. The 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion is based in Port Bouet adjacent to the Abidjan Airport. Shortly after the beginning of hostilities in September 2002, France established a stabilization force, currently approximately 4,000 troops, under "Operation Licorne." Previously, France had approximately 500 troops stationed in Côte d'Ivoire. In January 2003, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) placed approximately 1,500 peace-keeping troops from five countries—Senegal (commander), Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Niger—on the ground beside the French peacekeepers. The troops maintained the east-west ceasefire line dividing the country. On April 4, 2004, ECOWAS troops became part of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) which was authorized under UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1528. The authorized strength of the UNOCI operation is 6,240 personnel. UNOCI and Operation Licorne coordinate closely to fulfill the terms of USCR 1528. FOREIGN RELATIONSThroughout the Cold War, Côte d'Ivoire's foreign policy was generally favorable toward the West. The country became a member of the United Nations in 1960 and participates in most of its specialized agencies. It maintains a wide variety of diplomatic contacts. It sought change in South Africa through dialogue and was the first country accredited to post-apartheid South Africa. In 1986, Côte d'Ivoire announced the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Israel. France remains Côte d'Ivoire's single most important foreign partner. President Houphouet-Boigny, who was a minister in the French Government prior to independence, insisted that the connection with France remain strong. Concrete examples of Franco-Ivoirian cooperation are numerous: French is Côte d'Ivoire's official language; Côte d'Ivoire adopted the French legal system; a French marine infantry brigade stationed in Abidjan augmented security; thousands of French expatriates continue to work and live in Côte d'Ivoire; and the CFA franc currency is tied to the euro. However, the September 2002 events injected strain into the relationship, as the Ivoirian Government criticized France for its perceived failure to uphold its commitment under the 1961 mutual defense treaty by helping government forces recapture rebel-held areas. However, the French did send additional forces—reaching a total of around 4,000 troops as of fall 2003—to secure the ceasefire line between regular government and rebel forces. The French contingent was joined by a force provided by various member states of ECOWAS that totaled over 3,000 as of fall 2003. Anti-French riots erupted in Abidjan in late January-early February 2003, but bilateral relations subsequently improved amidst ongoing French military and diplomatic efforts to promote a peaceful resolution of the crisis. In May 2004, Côte d'Ivoire joined the Community of Sahel and Saharan States (CENSAD). The Ivoirian Government has traditionally played a constructive role in Africa. President Houphouet-Boigny was active in the mediation of regional disputes, most notably in Liberia and Angola, and had considerable stature throughout the continent. In 1996-97 Côte d'Ivoire sent a medical unit to participate in regional peacekeeping in Liberia, its first peacekeeping effort. Côte d'Ivoire's hopes to expand its involvement in regional peacekeeping efforts were derailed by the December 1999 coup. Still a regional economic powerhouse, Côte d'Ivoire hopes to retake its place in promoting regional stability when the resolution of its current crisis permits. Côte d'Ivoire belongs to the UN and most of its specialized agencies; the African Union; West African Economic and Monetary Union; ECOWAS; African Mauritian Common Organization; Council of Entente Communaute Financiere Africane; Non-aggression and Defense Agreement; Nonaligned Movement; African Regional Satellite Organization; InterAfrican Coffee Organizations; International Cocoa Organization; Alliance of Cocoa Producers; African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries; and Association of Coffee Producing Countries. Côte d'Ivoire also belongs to the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank; it is an associate member of the European Union. U.S.-IVOIRIAN RELATIONSU.S.-Ivoirian relations have traditionally been friendly and close. Some strain has resulted from the Section 508 restrictions on nonhumanitarian aid imposed on Côte d'Ivoire following the December 1999 coup. Because of Ivoirian governmental interference in the 2000 presidential elections, the Section 508 restrictions were not lifted. New elections are not scheduled until 2005. The U.S. participates in the international effort to assist Côte d'Ivoire in overcoming its current crisis, providing assistance—totaling about $9 million as of fall 2003—to the ECOWAS contingent helping to maintain the ceasefire. The U.S. is sympathetic to Côte d'Ivoire's desire for rapid, orderly economic development as well as its moderate stance on international issues. Bilateral U.S. Agency for International Development funding, with the exception of self-help and democratization funds, has been phased out, although Côte d'Ivoire continues to benefit from regional West African programs. The country remains a major beneficiary of U.S. assistance in combating HIV/AIDS, as the Centers for Disease Control bases a large regional program in Abidjan. The U.S. and Côte d'Ivoire maintain an active cultural exchange program, through which prominent Ivoirian Government officials, media representatives, educators, and scholars visit the U.S. to become better acquainted with the American people and to exchange ideas and views with their American colleagues. This cooperative effort is furthered through frequent visits to Côte d'Ivoire by representatives of U.S. business and educational institutions, and by visits of Fulbright-Hays scholars and specialists in various fields. A new U.S. Embassy chancery compound is scheduled for completion in 2005. A modest security assistance program that provides professional training for Ivoirian military officers in the U.S. has been suspended by the Section 508 restrictions. Principal U.S. Embassy OfficialsABIDJAN (E) Address: 5 rue Jesse Owens, Plateau, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; APO/FPO: 2010 Abidjan Place, Dulles, VA 20189-2010; Phone: (225) 20.21.09.79; Fax: (225) 20.22.32.59; INMARSAT Tel: 8816-3145-4594 (Iridium); Workweek: 8:00-17:00; Web-site: http://usembassy.state.gov/abidjan/
TRAVELConsular Information SheetOctober 4, 2004 Country Description: Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is a developing country on the western coast of Africa. The official capital is Yamoussoukro. Tourist facilities in and near Abidjan, the commercial capital, are good; accommodations elsewhere are limited in quality and availability. Entry/Exit Requirements: A passport is required. U.S. citizens traveling to Côte d'Ivoire for business or tourism do not require visas for stays of 90 days or less. Those intending to stay for longer than 90 days may still enter without a visa, but they then must apply for a "visa de sejour" or "carte de sejour" within 90 days of their arrival. (Note: "Cartes de sejour" are not issued to children under the age of 16; minors under 16 are covered under their parents' "cartes de sejour.") An international health certificate showing current yellow fever immunization is required for entry into Côte d'Ivoire; without it, the traveler may be required to be vaccinated at the airport health office before clearing immigration. The cost of the immunization is 15,000 cfa at this time. Foreign travelers arriving at or departing from Abidjan's In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure. Travelers may obtain the latest information and details on entry requirements from the Embassy of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, 2424 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007, telephone (202) 797-0300. There are honorary consulates for Côte d'Ivoire in San Francisco, Stamford, Orlando, Houston and Detroit. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Ivoirian embassy or consulate. Safety and Security: Côte d'Ivoire has experienced an extended period of instability since a military coup d'état in 1999. In September 2002, a large-scale military rebellion divided the country. Under the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement of January 2003, the former rebels, now known as the New Forces, entered the government. However, New Force elements continue to control the north of the country above an east-west line running just south of Bouake, the country's second largest city. In the west, the New Forces also continue to control the cities of Man and Danane and a strip of territory running along the border with Liberia. There are armed forces and volunteer barricades at many points on the highways through both the government-controlled and New Forces-controlled portions of the country; they check documents and frequently demand cash for permission to pass. Côte d'Ivoire's border with Liberia is closed. Political instability has led to economic decline and high unemployment, exacerbating social tensions and creating the potential for labor unrest and civil disorder. Americans should avoid crowds and demonstrations, be aware of their surroundings, and use common sense to avoid situations and locations that could be inherently dangerous. Diplomatic efforts to end the crisis are ongoing. However, further coup attempts or the resumption of hostilities cannot be ruled out. Recreational Safety: Swimming in coastal waters is dangerous and strongly discouraged, even for excellent swimmers. The ocean currents along the coast are powerful and treacherous, and numerous drownings occur each year. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Crime: Crime continues to be a major security threat for Americans living in Côte d'Ivoire. Street crime of the "grab and run" variety, as well as pick pocketing in crowded areas, is widespread. Armed carjacking, robberies of businesses and restaurants, and home invasions are very common, and they are often targeted at expatriate residents who are perceived as wealthy. Armed criminals have used force when faced with resistance. Travelers displaying jewelry and carrying cameras are especially at risk. Travelers have found it advisable to carry only limited amounts of cash and only photocopies of key documents. Travel outside of Abidjan or at night is strongly discouraged, and it is particularly dangerous to visit Abidjan's Treichville, Adjame, Abobo, and Plateau districts after dark. The DeGaulle and Houphouet-Boigny bridges, which cross the lagoon in Abidjan, are dangerous areas for pedestrians. Inadequate resources and training reduce the ability of the police to apprehend criminals and deter crimes. Many hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and supermarkets provide security guards to protect clients and vehicles. Use of credit cards in Côte d'Ivoire, particularly outside Abidjan, is limited. Despite this reduced usage, credit card fraud is an increasing problem in Abidjan. Unless the credit card transaction is electronically performed in view of the individual, travelers are strongly discouraged from using their credit cards in paper transactions. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately both to the local police and to the U.S. Embassy. If you are the victim of a crime in Côte d'Ivoire, immediately report the crime to local police and contact the U.S. Embassy at 2021-0979, extension 6000. The staff of the Consular Section can assist you in a number of ways, such as finding appropriate medical care, contacting family members or friends, and explaining how funds can be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can also help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney, if needed. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlets, A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa, for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs Home Page at http://travel.state.gov. Business Fraud: Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including Americans. While such fraud schemes in the past have been largely associated with Nigeria, they are now prevalent throughout West Africa, including Côte d'Ivoire. The scams pose a danger of grave financial loss. Typically, these scam operations begin with an unsolicited communication (usually by e-mail) from an unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain, often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or valuables out of the country. A series of "advance fees" must then be paid in order to conclude the transaction; for example, fees to provide legal documents or to pay certain taxes. In fact, the final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is simply to collect the advance fees. One common variation of this scheme involves individuals claiming to be refugees or other victims of various western African conflicts (notably Sierra Leone) who contact U.S. citizens to request their help in transferring large sums of money out of Côte d'Ivoire. Another typical ploy has persons claiming to be related to present or former political leaders who need assistance to transfer large sums of cash. Other variations include what appear to be legitimate business deals requiring advance payments on contracts. Sometimes, perpetrators manage to induce victims to provide bank account and credit card information and financial authorization that allow them to drain the accounts and incur large debts against the victim's credit. In many instances, victims have lost their life savings. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense—if a proposition looks too good to be true, it probably is. Any unsolicited business proposal originating from Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, or any other source, should be carefully checked and researched before any funds are committed, any goods or services are provided, or any travel is undertaken. One common indicator of a possible scam is the phone number provided to the scam victim; legitimate businesses and offices should be able to provide fixed telephone numbers, while scams typically use only cell phone numbers. In Côte d'Ivoire, all cell phone numbers start with the number zero. To date, the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan is unaware of any scam victim who has been able to recover money lost through these scams. The Department of State's brochure "Advance Fee Business Scams" is available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs web-site at http://travel.state.gov. Single copies are available at no charge by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services Room 4811, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-4818. Medical Facilities: In Abidjan, privately-run medical and dental facilities are adequate but do not fully meet U.S. standards. Good physician specialists can be found, though few speak English. Pharmacies are well-stocked with medications produced in Europe, though newer drugs may not be available. Medical care in Côte d'Ivoire outside of Abidjan is extremely limited. Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations. When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of 50,000 dollars (US). Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page. Other Health Information: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Chloroquine resistant P. falciparum malaria is a severe form of the disease that is found in many parts of western Africa, including Côte d'Ivoire. Because travelers to Côte d'Ivoire are at high risk for Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Côte d'Ivoire is provided for general reference only, and it may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of public transportation: Poor Automobile accidents are one of the greatest threats to the well-being of Americans in Côte d'Ivoire. Night driving is particularly hazardous due to poorly lit roads and vehicles. Direct or indirect requests for bribes from the police and other security officials are commonplace, especially at highway checkpoints and near Abidjan's airport. For additional general information about road travel in Côte d'Ivoire, please see the U.S. Embassy's web site at http://usembassy.state.gov/abidjan/wwwusafety.doc. For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, please see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_roadsafety.html. Air Travel: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Côte d'Ivoire's civil aviation authority as Category 2 — not in compliance with international aviation safety standards for the oversight of Côte d'Ivoire's air carrier operations. While consultations to correct the deficiencies are ongoing, the Ivorian air carriers currently flying to the U.S. will be subject to heightened FAA surveillance. No additional flights or new service to the U.S. by Côte d'Ivoire's air carriers will be permitted unless they arrange to have the flights conducted by an air carrier from a country meeting international safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm. Airline travel in western Africa is routinely overbooked; schedules are limited, and airline service is of varying quality. Passengers should get the required seat reconfirmation stamped on the ticket, ensure that they have emergency funds for food and lodging in the event of unexpected delays, and arrive at the airport at least two hours before the scheduled departure time. Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Ivorian law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Côte d'Ivoire are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to engage in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18, whether or not the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien intended to engage in such illicit sexual conduct prior to going abroad. For purposes of the PROTECT Act, illicit sexual conduct includes any commercial sex act in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18. The law defines a commercial sex act as any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or received by a person under the age of 18. Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is a crime to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transmit information about a minor under the age of 16 for criminal sexual purposes that include, among other things, the production of child pornography. This same law makes it a crime to use any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transport obscene materials to minors under the age of 16. Americans who are arrested in Côte d'Ivoire for any reason should request that the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan be notified immediately at 2021-0979, extension 6000. Customs Regulations: Côte d'Ivoire's customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information, please call (212) 354-4480, send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit http://www.uscib.org for details. In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found here. Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/family/index.html or telephone Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747. Registration/Embassy Location: Americans living or traveling in Côte d'Ivoire are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Côte d'Ivoire. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, you'll make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact you in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Abidjan at 5 Rue Jesse Owens, mailing address 01 B.P. 1712, Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire, telephone (225) 20-21-09-79, consular fax (225) 20-22-45-23, central fax (225) 20-22-32-59; website: http://usembassy.state.gov/abidjan. Check the website for American Citizen Services hours; for emergencies, a duty officer is available at all times. Travel WarningDecember 3, 2004 This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S. citizens on the current unrest that is occurring in Côte d'Ivoire and to alert them to ongoing safety and security concerns. Because of the recent violence and the unsettled security situation, the Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members of U.S. Embassy personnel. The Department urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Côte d'Ivoire. The airport has re-opened, but only to limited commercial traffic by some regional and European carriers. Land routes to the Ghanaian border remain open but travelers should consult the Embassy before planning to cross the border by road. On November 4, 2004, government forces launched aerial attacks on cities in northern Côte d'Ivoire controlled by New Forces. The attacks resulted in the deaths of Ivorians and non-Ivorians. The situation remains volatile and there is the risk of conflict throughout the country. Cell phone, landline telephone communication and electrical services with the northern New Forces-held city of Bouaké and surrounding areas may be—intermittent. There have been numerous violent incidents in Abidjan that have been directed against people of non-Ivorian appearance, specific diplomatic missions, and foreign military and international peacekeeping operations. Anti-foreign attacks have resulted in deaths and serious injuries to persons and property. Individuals have been pulled from vehicles, businesses and schools entered and sometimes destroyed, and families harassed. Embassy employees have been instructed to keep travel within Abidjan to a minimum, try not to be out after 6 p.m., and to restrict their movements to several centrally located areas. Private American citizens are urged to follow the same guidelines. Americans should also be sure that their vehicles are fully fueled, and that they have adequate cooking fuel, food, and water for several days. On November 10, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members. U.S. citizens who remain in Côte d'Ivoire despite this Travel Warning should consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Côte d'Ivoire and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada or 1-317-472-2328 from overseas. The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan may close temporarily for general business from time to time to review its security posture. For the status of visa services please consult the Embassy website at http://usembassy.state.gov/Abidjan. American citizens visiting or resident in Côte d'Ivoire are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy by calling (225) 20-21-09-79, by fax at (225) 20-22-45-23, or by completing a registration form on-line at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp. American citizens in Côte d'Ivoire who are in need of assistance should contact the embassy by calling (225) 20-21-09-79. For additional information, call the Overseas Citizens Services call center at 888-407-4747 and consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Côte d'Ivoire, available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. Please see also the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement. International AdoptionJanuary 2005 The information below has been edited from a report of the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services. For more information, please read the International Adoption section of this book and review current reports online at www.travel.state.gov/family. Disclaimer: The information in this circular relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is provided for general information only. Questions involving interpretation of specific foreign laws should be addressed to foreign legal counsel. Availability of Children for Adoption: Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visas issued to orphans: FY-1997: IR-3 immigrant visas issued to Ivoirian orphans adopted abroad—0; IR-4 immigrant visas issued to Ivoirian orphans adopted in the U.S.—0 FY-1998: IR-3 Visas—0, Ivoirian Adoption Authority: The government offices responsible for adoption in Côte d'Ivoire are the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Justice. All requests are submitted to the Court of Justice for final review, and if approved, issuance of an Adoption decrees. Ivoirian Adoption Procedures: Persons interested in adopting in Côte d'Ivoire must first identify a child available for adoption. This can be done with the assistance of the Ivoirian Department of Social Welfare, or by contacting directly the administration of an orphanage. Once the adoptive parent(s) has identified a child who meets his/her criteria, the orphanage's administrator transmits the case to the Department of Social Welfare, which will conduct a home study. Upon completion of the home study, the Department drafts its recommendation based on the out-come and forwards the file to the court for adjudication. A first hearing is scheduled by the "Judge of Guard-ianship" to verify the circumstances and ascertain the intent for adoption expressed both by the biological and adoptive parent(s). After a satisfactory review, a second hearing is scheduled wherein the judge issues a preliminary decree called "Ordonnance de Garde Juridique en vue d'Adoption." A final adoption request may be introduced by the adoptive parents upon the completion of a compulsory six-month period during which they have lived with the adopted child. Therefore, in light of the above requirements (home study and integration period), the court expects the prospective adoptive parent(s) to establish residency in Côte d'Ivoire. Age and Civil Status Requirements: Ivoirian adoption law states that the prospective parent(s) must be at least 30 years old, and at least one must be 15 years older than the adoptive child. A prospective adoptive couple may be eligible if married for at least 5 years and both spouses must expressly consent to the adoption. Adoption Agencies and Attorneys: There are no private adoption agencies in Côte d'Ivoire. All adoption matters are processed through the channel of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Justice, and their respective agencies. Ivoirian Documentary Requirements: The documentary requirements for foreign adoptions in Côte d'Ivoire are as follows:
Authentication Process: All documents above must be authenticated. For more information, please read the International Adoption section of this book and review current reports online at www.travel.state.gov/family. U.S. Immigration Requirements: An Ivoirian child adopted by an U.S. citizen must obtain an immigrant visa before he or she can enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. Doctors: The U.S. Embassy maintains current list of doctors, should either you or your child experience health problems while in Côte d'Ivoire. Ivoirian Embassy in the United States: Embassy of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire U.S. Embassy in Côte D'ivoire: |
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