Félix Houphouët-Boigny

Félix Houphouët-Boigny (fālēks´ oofwā´-bwä´nye) (October 18, 1905 - December 7, 1993) was the first President of Côte d'Ivoire (1960 - 1993). His name is African spelt with French orthography; using an English-based one like in Ghana or Nigeria, it would likely be spelled Ufwe-Bwanyi.

Related Topics:
October 18 - 1905 - December 7 - 1993 - President - Côte d'Ivoire - 1960

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Under Houphouët-Boigny's ideologically moderate leadership, Côte d'Ivoire prospered economically due to a combination of sound planning, strong and moderate leadership, the maintenance of strong ties with the West (particularly France), and the development of the country's significant cocoa industry. Houphouët-Boigny moved the country's capital from Abidjan to his hometown of Yamoussoukro, and built the world's largest church there, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro at a cost of $145 million. He also built a presidential palace at great cost.

Related Topics:
Cocoa - Abidjan - Yamoussoukro - Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro

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Houphouët-Boigny was commonly known in the West as the "Sage of Africa" or the "Grand Old Man of Africa." In 1989, UNESCO created the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize for the "safeguarding, maintaining and seeking of peace." It should be noted, however, that he also diverted significant funds for his personal use and for patronage.

Related Topics:
Africa - 1989 - UNESCO - Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize

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After his death, conditions in Côte d'Ivoire deteriorated quickly. From 1994 until 2002 there were a number of coups, a currency devaluation, an economic recession, and beginning in 2002, the Civil war in Côte d'Ivoire.

Related Topics:
1994 - 2002 - Coups - Currency devaluation - Recession - Civil war in Côte d'Ivoire

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