Didier Drogba made an emotional appeal for peace in Côte d'Ivoire on 20 June, 20 years ago. The nation's biggest star at the time, Drogba spoke from the team dressing room, calling for the warring parties to begin peace negotiations.
What happened?
The Ivorians were eliminated early from the tournament, but Drogba's message endured. A peace agreement was eventually reached in 2007.
Why it matters for Didier Drogba
Drogba's appeal was only partially heeded, and genuine political reconciliation has failed to materialise. Tensions between north and south, as well as questions of citizenship and national belonging, persist.
The country's economy has grown significantly, with average annual growth of 6.5 per cent. Côte d'Ivoire ranks among the fastest-growing economies in the world, driven by the exploitation of gold reserves, newly discovered natural gas deposits, and an export-oriented agricultural sector.
What comes next?
The question of presidential succession remains vague and unresolved, creating uncertainties that could deter investors in the years ahead. The social reckoning with the civil war years has been highly inadequate.
The country's economic rise masks political weaknesses, and the legacy of the civil war has never truly been addressed. Better social protection and a fairer distribution of the benefits of growth are also still in their infancy.
On 20 June, the Éléphants of Côte d'Ivoire will meet Germany in Toronto in their second World Cup group-stage match. The country has left the war behind and emerged as one of Africa's economic success stories, but many of the issues Drogba highlighted at the time remain unresolved.
The political elite is growing increasingly elderly, and some observers already speak of the country's 'Cameroonisation', referring to the long-serving ruler Paul Biya, who has remained in power for more than 40 years. This gradual entrenchment of the political system increasingly contradicts the country's economic dynamism.
Côte d'Ivoire has made significant progress, but the country still faces many challenges. The next phase of Ivorian development will be crucial in addressing these issues and ensuring a peaceful and democratic transfer of power.
The country's economy is three times larger than Senegal's, and its growth rate exceeds that of Ghana. With average annual growth of 6.5 per cent, Côte d'Ivoire ranks among the fastest-growing economies in the world.
Forty per cent of the world's cocoa production comes from Côte d'Ivoire. The electrification of the entire country is being pursued with great determination, and the country presented itself as a dynamic business destination during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.