Ivory Coast Celebrates Independence Anniversary

The West African nation of Ivory Coast is celebrating its 59th Independence Day to mark its freedom from French colonial rule in August 7, 1960. The country was made a French colony in 1893, and in the first half of the 20th century, it became part of the Federation of French West Africa with all Ivoirians being subjects to Paris, yet without representation in either France or Africa. Despite being granted French citizenship after World War II, and the right to form political parties, Ivoirians were not afforded rights to participate in political decision making.
The colony eventually attained independence on August 7, 1960 under the leadership of Félix Houphouët-Boigny who served as prime minister and later president. Ivory Coast is the world\’s leading producer of cocoa, supplying 30% of the global cocoa market. It also produces coffee and sugar, together with such mineral resources as gold, copper, iron and bauxite. These resources collectively gird the Ivoirian economy, making it one of the robust in the sub-region.