THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COTE D' IVOIRE TO ECOWAS
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COTE D' IVOIRE TO ECOWAS
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Date
1990-07
Authors
SHAFIU, AKANJI NIYI
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Abstract
The difference in languages and m entities , the
underdeveloped political culture and the stagnant economic
structure of West African state constitutes some of the
major interaction problems undermining the progress, the
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could
have record e d over the years . Colonialism is identified t o be
the genesis of these problems. West African states were
colonized by Britain , France and Portugal which have different
languages , and different mentalist. Their former colonies
were compelled to adopt their different culture , civilization
and languages, and this , really exa cerebrate the problem of
unity in ECOWAS, The appositives of economic and human
resource from West Africa by those colonies stateless so
deepened the problems of economic integration in West African.
The role of Cote d'Ivoire in ECOWAS is being examined from
this background.
The Ivorine economy which depends solely on cocoa and
coffee is tied to the apron string of developed capabilities
countries , her political structure is designed i n such a
way that, it has been played a subservient role to France.
Both the economic and political structure of Cote d ' lvoire
indicate that her independence could be defined as being
sham and nominal in nature . It is obvious that the political co
economic set up of Cote d 'lvorie influence the kind of role
she has been played in ECOWAS.
Cote d' Ivoire, a country which gives priority to
cooperation between her and developed countries like
France, runs the risk of subjecting the aims and objectives
of ECOWAS introducing . Her political role during French
colonialism in West Africa are enough to justify that her
activities in any regional organizations she belongs to are
geared toward realizing her national interest or rather,
protecting the interest of developed countries on which she
relies . Though the Rasseblement Democratique initiated by
Houphouet Boigny led most Francophone African countries to
independence, Houphouet Boigny disagreed at the epoch to
belong to the Federation of Mali group proposed by Senegal.
(The Federation of Mali advocated for a united government for
the Francophone countries of the region). His disagreement
was attributed to the fact that, the Federation of Mali which
could have likely made Dakar (former French colonial capital in
West Africa) the capital, could not have benefited Cote d'lvoire
which was the most developed Francophone country of the region.
Another interpretation of this Federation system was that,
if the Federation of Mali succeeded, it could have enabled
member states to challenge France domination of their
economy.
In revenge, Houphouet Boigny created the Conseil de 1 'Entente
which comprises of five countries. Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger
and Cote d'lvoire, France, in order to safeguard her own
interest , intervened to reconcile Cote d'lvoire and Senegal
so that all francophone countries should belong to the same
organisation, that is how, the "Communaute' des Etats de l'Afrique*
de l'Ouest - C.E.A.O. - was created, but in this case,
there was no proposition as weather to have a joint government,
and it was limited to only Francophone countries of the region.
In ECOWAS, it is glaring that the reserved attitude of
Cote d' I voire on any issue concerning the community leads to
serious recrimination among member states. The Liberian crisis
is a case in point. Cote d' I voire disagreed to cooperate with
ECOMOG to achieve the objectives of keeping peace in
Liberia.
Looking at the development in the world economic and
political relations and the historical evolution of West
African states, Cote d'lvoire would at a point be prevented irom
fleutii;. regional policy which could benefit the entire ECOWAS
member states. The integration going on in Europe is likely to
redefine the relations between France and Cote d'lvoire. Many
Francophone countries have committed themselves to ECOWAS,
then Cote d'lvoire has no other choice than to embrace BCOWAS.
Further economic activities in the region will confirm that
fact.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Post-graduate School
of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria , in p artificial
fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of
Master in International Relations (Pol. Sc.)
JULY 1990
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA
Keywords
SIGNIFICANCE,, COTE D' IVOIRE,, ECOWAS.