Ivory Coast votes in poll likely to bolster Ouattara
December 18, 2016
Voters in Ivory Coast are set to elect their parliament in a political field dominated by President Ouattara. The president has received praise for the country's economic progress but criticism for his political record.
Image: Reuters/T. Gouegnon
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Ivory Coast went to the polls on Sunday as President Alassane Ouattara sought to strengthen his parliamentary majority.
Ouattara's coalition already controls 85 percent of the seats, and was expected to hold on to power despite criticism that the ruling RHDP party runs the government like a monarchy.
"Give me a strong majority to enable me to speed up the work that I have set as an objective in the four years to come," the president said in a televised statement.
Ouattara's administration has come under fire for its political recordImage: REUTERS/T. Gouegnon
Opposition politicians loyal to ousted leader Laurent Gbagbo, Outtara's one-time ally turned rival, hoped to gain some ground after largely boycotting politics since 2011. The Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) dominated politics for over a decade after the former military junta was toppled in 2000 and Gbagbo installed as president.
Gbagbo faces ICC
Ivory Coast experienced a brief civil war in 2011 when Gbagbo refused to accept defeat to his former prime minister, Ouattara. Gbagbo was arrested by his successor's supporters and was extradited to the International Criminal Court in the Hague to face charges surrounding the post-election violence.
Gbagbo was Outtara's one-time allyImage: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Kooren
Sunday's vote appeared peaceful, according to observers, and 30,000 police were deployed throughout the nation. With Ouattara at the helm, the country has made solid economic progress but his administration has come under fire for its political record, including eschewing a national reconciliation for the country's 2011 violence that saw 3,000 people killed.
Only 6 million Ivorians are registered to vote in a country of 24 million, and they will cast their ballots for 255 legislators in a system where the winner takes all for his or her district.
es/tj (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Architecture in Ivory Coast - Back to the future
Modern architecture boomed in Ivory Coast shortly after independence in 1960. The country now wants to recapture the spirit of that era with a new Ivorian School of Architecture and fresh ideas for urban development.
Image: Archives Pierre Chomette
Young countries without architects
After independence, many young West African states needed to build government premises, banks and universities. They brought architects from abroad for the task because of a lack of Ivorian architects. French architect Henri Chomette designed many key buildings and bridges in Ivory Coast, Senegal and Burkina Faso. This is the town hall in Abidjan's Plateau district, erected in 1956.
Image: Archives Pierre Chomette
Modern landmarks – Then and now
The Hotel Ivoire remains one of the most recognizable buildings in Abidjan. It is the only five-star hotel and conference center in the economic capital. Construction of the building began in 1963 and it was designed by the Israeli architects Heinz Fenchel und Thomas Leitersdorf.
Image: I. Baan
Futuristic designs at the highest level
"World-class architecture was built in West Africa during the 1960s and 70s," said German architect Manuel Herz. "Everyone wanted to keep up with Europe and the US." The designs were particularly bold like the "Pyramids" in Abijan, designed by Italian Rinaldo Olivieri and built between 1968 and 1973. The one-time shopping center now stands empty.
Image: I. Baan
Chaotic cityscape with dangerous structures
During the economic and political crises that hit the country prior to 2012, the government neglected any regulation of the building sector. The result was that structures were built without the proper permits and without architects. The result is a chaotic cityscape full of unsafe building, many of which have collapsed during the rainy season.
Image: S. Bavier
Construction boom supporting more architects
The peaceful election in 2015 that brought President Alassane Ouattara to power was taken as a sign to investors that the Ivory Coast is back. Soon after, the government put forward its development plans until 2020. This means more hospitals, bridges and apartment buildings. The construction sector is now booming and the country is in need of architects.
Image: S. Bavier
First architect school in Ivory Coast
The head of the first architect school in Abidjan studied outside of the country and will help train the first 20 Ivorian architects. There is a critical shortage of architects in the Ivory Coast with only 177 registered architects in a country of 23 million people.
Image: S. Bavier
The traditional into modern
The students not only have to learn about the technical side of architecture and design but also the cultural history of their country. They take field trips to see traditional building processes and materials. "We no longer want to copy the West," said one student. "Our Ivorian culture must be reflected in modern design."
Image: S. Bavier
Architects as designers and innovators
Issa Diabate is a well-known architect in the Ivory Coast. He studied in the US and is known around the world as an expert in African urban development. "How do we want to live in 20 years? How will our society change? We have to ask these questions now," he said. He sees the architects in the Ivory Coast not just as designers but also as city developers.
Image: Koffi & Diabaté architectes
Living and modern infrastructure
The latest project of the architecture firm Koffi & Diabate is 32 apartments with underground parking. When the trees and shrubs around the building grow, they will create natural shade for walkways and benches. However the development will only attract those with the means to afford its price tag. Their next project is to build a mixed-income neighborhood.
Image: Koffi & Diabaté architectes
Outside universal, inside local
"Building locally does not mean to merely adorn buildings with examples of African culture but to integrate it into the functionality of the inside of a building," explained Diabate. Here he designed walls made of bamboo to provide both shade and circulation. Large sliding doors allow for maximum air flow.
Image: Koffi & Diabaté architectes
Sustainability through local materials
We used to build churches with stone like the European missionaries did. But that means that our old churches are very hot," explained Father Richard Ehounou. The new catholic church in Assinie is made out of Ivorian wood. It boasts a corrugated roof with sufficient openings for circulation without the need for air conditioning or fans.
Author: Susan Bavier
