Ivory Coast has one of the most volatile and tribalistic political landscapes in Africa but the factions managed their differences reasonably well until politicians called the bluff of the military urged on by the citizens.
When tensions spilled over into bloodshed and the near destruction of the country in 2003, it took years of negotiations and international mediation to end the conflict.
We must try to understand that the explosion of war was the by-product of deep-seated cleavages revolving around ethnicity, nationality and religion.
Politicians tapped into these differences to consolidate their monopoly on power, and in the process, pushed the country toward civil war.
Having learned many lessons from the past, President Alassane Ouattara declared Afcon 2023 a national assignment for “EVERY CITIZEN“.
The current prime minister Robert Beugré Mambé is seen as a liberal and not a hard core political tool.
He was appointed in October 2023 after former Prime Minister Patrick Achi was removed from his position by President Alassane Ouattara.
Analysts believe that was the turning point as Ouattara called for a government reshuffle to cool tensions and appease the growing discord by citizens just FOUR months to the tournament.
Reflections of Afcon 2023 – Yaw Ampofo Ankrah Part 1
