30 August 2007: Ransacking of Private Newspaper by Students

23 August 2007: Journalist missing in Ivory Coast was murdered

10 July 2007: IFJ Calls on Côte d’Ivoire Government to Take Urgent Actions after 4 Media Groups Robbed

16 July 2006: Protestors storm premises of national broadcaster

16 April 2006: Missing Journalist's Family Demands Answers

09 February 2006: French Judge Returns to Work on Kieffer Case

26 January 2006: Week of Terror for the Press

09 August 2005: "Dernières Nouvelles d'Abidjan" journalist assaulted

27 July 2005: Pro-government militia attack private newspapers

05 April 2005: Journalist Assaulted by Police

14 February 2005: Political Divide Grips Local Journalists

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Latest articles on Ivory Coast from Reuters Alertnet

01 July 2007: ICoast premier concerned at escalation of violence

01 July 2007: AU condemns Ivory Coast attack, backs peace process

30 April 2007: Ivorian ex-foes patrol together as peace advances

26 April 2007: Ivory Coast rebels, army set to deploy in buffer zone

10 January 2007: UN council extends Ivory Coast peacekeepers' stay

19 December 2006: Ivorian leader unveils peace plan,snubs UN roadmap

05 December 2006: Two killed as police disperse Ivorian protestors

28 August 2006: Outbreaks of cholera reported

23 August 2006: Ivorian poll not possible by Oct 31 deadline -U.N.

23 July 2006: Ivorian factions fight over ID scheme, one killed

20 July 2006: Ivory Coast city back to normal after protests end

08 June 2006: Disarmament of militias postponed

06 June 2006: UN to send in more blue helmets

01 June 2006: Warring factions agree on next week start date for disarmament programme

23 May 2006: Combatants begin pullback in first step to disarmament

20 May 2006: Loyalist forces in Ivory Coast claim to have begun retreat

15 May 2006: Ivory Coast loyalists, rebels to hammer out disarmament terms

11 May 2006: Bird flu outbreak is under control, government

05 February 2006: Annan wants some UN forces in Liberia transferred to restive Ivory Coast

Click here to go to the Crisis Watch page

Latest Report from the International Crisis Group
Côte d’Ivoire: Ensuring Credible Elections (22 April 2008)
Côte d’Ivoire: Can the Ouagadougou Agreement Bring Peace? (27 June 2007)
Côte d’Ivoire: Stepping Up the Pressure (07 September 2006)
Côte d’Ivoire: Peace as an Option (17 May 2006)
Côte d'Ivoire: Halfway Measures Will Not Suffice (12 October 2005)

General Security Information
Terrorism/Security
You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

PRACTICAL INFO

Basic Facts

Capital
Yamoussoukro

Language
French is the official language. There are many local languages, but the main ones are Diula, Baule and Bete.

Ethnic Groups
The five main ethnic groups are the Kru, Akan, Voltaic speakers, Mande and Malinke.

Religion
Traditional African beliefs, Islam and Christianity are practised in more or less equal measure.

Crime
You should be aware that violent crime in Abidjan is on the increase as the security situation deteriorates. Car-jackings, as well as armed break-ins to private residences and hold ups in streets and restaurants, particularly those frequented by Westerners, are common. Weapons circulate freely.

If you are the victim of a robbery, co-operate with your assailants and give them what they want without hesitation. Keep your eyes down and do not make a lot of noise; you are less likely to be physically harmed.

In Abidjan you should be cautious, particularly after dark. You should avoid confrontation with police and security forces. Respect army and police roadblocks and co-operate politely if you need to pass through one. Do not be surprised if you are asked for money by people in uniform. Do not carry valuables in public. Do not walk around at night and avoid using taxis. Avoid driving late at night. Avoid crossing the two bridges over the lagoon in Abidjan on foot, even in daylight hours.

Key Expressions

• I am a journalist: Je suis journaliste

• Can you help me?: Est-ce que vous pouvez m'aider?

• I need a doctor: J'ai besoin d'un docteur

Useful Information

Time Zone
GMT

Climate
Tropical with rain all year round; dry season November-April; southern and coastal areas have two separate seasons when rain is heaviest from April-July and October-November; inland and in north rain becomes less from June-October and in dry November-May.

Telephone dialling code
(+) 225

Currency
The currency is CFA Franc.

Travel

Visa Requirements
Visa is required prior to arrival

Driving (Left/Right)
Right

Air Safety
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm

Local Travel
Due to high levels of anti-Western sentiment, you should take particular care in the north and west of the country, where despite the UN presence, armed militias continue to operate in many areas and where there have been frequent clashes. In the area between Duékoué and Odienne, armed elements are often under the influence of drink or drugs, which makes them particularly unpredictable. In May and June 2005, up to 75 people were reported to have been killed in clashes in this area.

Extreme caution should be exercised and strong security precautions put in place if travelling anywhere off the beaten track.

Between 24 and 26 July 2005 there were violent incidents in Abidjan, Anyama and Agboville, resulting in five deaths and several more injured.

All access roads to major towns in government controlled areas have been closed off from 2200 - 0600. The ban applies to Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, San Pedro and all other major towns in the south.

Health

You should ensure that you have comprehensive medical/travel insurance that covers evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. You should also seek up to date medical advice about suitable anti-malarial medication and on arrival, ensure you take adequate precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.

Diseases
Malaria exists throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine reported. Cholera is present in rural areas, and care should be taken to drink only boiled/bottled water. HIV/AIDS is widespread and there have been cases of yellow fever.

Avian Influenza
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed several cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in two separate locations in the capital Abidjan, affecting domestic birds and a wild sparrow hawk. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

Medical supplies and facilities
Medical treatment is of a reasonable standard in Abidjan, but can be expensive. Serious medical treatment would require medical evacuation to Europe.

Landmines

No Information available