Ethnic tensions between the... and other Cote D'Ivoire Warning Or Danger Tips

Ethnic tensions between the predominantly Christian and animist west and south (where the country's economic and political power is centred) and the Muslim north have erupted over the past few months and led to numerous violent clashes. There's no end to the fighting in sight, particularly as those in the north are still angry at their political leader's exclusion from recent elections (it was claimed he's not Ivorian by birth). There is strong resentment towards non-Ivorians (mostly farmers from neighbouring countries) living in Côte d'Ivoire. Travellers should keep up to date on the situation in the country or they might find themselves in the middle of mass protests similar to those that saw former ruler Général Guéi ousted - after violence that claimed nearly 300 lives - in October 2000. In an atmosphere of growing violence towards foreign residents, the situation remains uncertain at best.

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