"To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it" The
Republic of Cote d'Ivoire has an estimated population of 21.6
million (UN, 2010). The capital is Yamoussoukro. Ivory Coast has
an area of 322,462 sq km (124,503 sq miles). The main languages
are French, and indigenous languages. In 1960, Cote d'Ivoire
became independent from France. It was once considered as one of
Africa’s most stable countries. Cote d'Ivoire is the world's
leading producer of cocoa. The production of cocoa for export
and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire the most prosperous
countries in West Africa. Since 2002, the country has been
plagued by a civil war, which split the country between North
and South, and thousands of people have been killed. The north
is under rebel control and the government controls the south. In
2007, a peace deal was signed and a power sharing agreement was
reached between the government and the rebels. The civil war in
Cote d'Ivoire has led to an increase of sexual violence against
women and girls in