US lifts sanctions against Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast: US President Barack Obama on Wednesday lifted 10-year-old sanctions against Ivory Coast, citing a successful presidential election in 2015 and its progress in tackling illegal trafficking of arms and natural resources.

The sanctions were imposed against the west African country political figures in February 2006 by the then president of the US George W Bush for blocking a 2003 peace process.

The world's biggest cocoa producer, had been split in two since a 2002 civil war launched by rebels against then President Laurent Gbagbo.


A statement by the White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Prices aid;

"Cote d'Ivoire has taken important steps to strengthen its governing and economic institutions and reconcile the differences that led to war."

"Challenges remain as the country continues to tackle difficult land reform issues and works to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are felt throughout the Ivoirian population," he said.

Five years after the country's civil war, Ivory Coast has been reborn as one of Africa's economic hub, following a 2010 presidential election, and is held up by many as a model of post-conflict reconstruction.

Ned Price said the government still faces challenges of tackling difficult land issues and ensuring that everyone benefits from Ivory Coast's economic rise.