All posts tagged: Ivory

Ivory Coast Dissolves Electoral Commission After Criticism

Ivory Coast Dissolves Electoral Commission After Criticism

Published by Sam Flores

ABIDJAN, May 6 (Reuters) – Ivory Coast’s government ⁠has ⁠dissolved the Independent ⁠Electoral Commission (CEI) following sustained criticism of the body ​over its handling of elections, government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly said on ‌Wednesday. • The decision was ‌approved by the government following repeated disputes over the ⁠commission’s ⁠independence and its handling of elections, Coulibaly told a news ​conference after a cabinet meeting. • He said the move was intended to pave the way for a new election management system ​and help restore public confidence in the electoral process, with ⁠the ⁠aim of ensuring “peaceful polls”. • ⁠Coulibaly ​said that discussions within the government would now decide what structure ​will replace the ⁠CEI. • Ivory Coast last held a presidential election in October 2025, when President Alassane Ouattara won a fourth term with nearly 90% of the vote after several prominent opposition ⁠figures were barred from running, prompting criticism from opposition and civil ⁠society groups over the inclusiveness of the process. • The CEI, created in October 2001, has overseen all of Ivory Coast’s elections since …

France Restitutes ‘Talking Drum’ to Ivory Coast, Is Free Entry to UK Museums at Risk? Morning Links for February 23, 2026

France Restitutes ‘Talking Drum’ to Ivory Coast, Is Free Entry to UK Museums at Risk? Morning Links for February 23, 2026

Published by José Betancourt

The Headlines DRUMMED UP. France has finally repatriated a long-promised looted artifact to the Ivory Coast, known as the “talking drum,” or Djidji Ayokwe, reports Le Monde. In 1916, when French colonial officers learned that the Ivory Coast’s Ebrie tribe used the 10-foot-long wood-sculpted drum to warn of oncoming French soldiers, the latter stole it from them. Eventually, the French brought the drum to Paris, where it made its rounds through several museums, ultimately landing in the Musée du Quai Branly. A special law had to be passed in order to restitute the drum, because it was part of France’s nationally owned, public collection. However, a new bill headed for a vote in France’s lower house aims to avoid having to pass a separate law for every restituted object pertaining to the colonial period. SPANISH SIT-IN. On Friday evening, more than 100 Spanish art professionals held sit-ins in Madrid museums in protest against the country’s unusually high sales tax of 21 percent on artwork, reports El Pais. Gallery owners, artists, and other arts workers sat …

France repatriates stolen colonial-era ‘talking drum’ to Ivory Coast

France repatriates stolen colonial-era ‘talking drum’ to Ivory Coast

Published by Sam Flores

France on Friday handed over a “talking drum” looted by colonial troops from Ivory Coast in 1916 in the latest repatriation of stolen artefacts. The Djidji Ayokwe drum, more than three metres (10 feet) long and weighing 430 kilos (950 pounds) was used by the Ebrie tribe to transmit messages. It is one of hundreds of objects France is preparing to send back to Africa, with the efforts set to be accelerated by the passing of a new law to authorise mass repatriations. “All of Ivory Coast is ready to welcome it,” Ivory Coast Culture Minister Françoise Remarck said at a ceremony in Paris with her French counterpart Rachida Dati. Read moreThousands of costumes from Geneva’s Grand Theatre opera house to go on sale Remarck added that she was “extremely moved” by the “return of this symbol” that is “finally coming back to its homeland”. The drum is to be exhibited permanently in a new museum being built in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital Abidjan. France has been flooded with restitution demands from former colonies such …

AFCON 2025: Egypt knock out Ivory Coast to set up Senegal semi-final – Sports

AFCON 2025: Egypt knock out Ivory Coast to set up Senegal semi-final – Sports

Published by Sam Flores

Inspired by a Mohamed Salah masterclass – a goal and an assist – Egypt saw off defending champions Ivory Coast at the quarter-final stage to book their place in the last four. The Pharaohs will now face Senegal on Wednesday as they chase a record-extending eighth continental crown. Elsewhere in AFCON action, Nigeria outclassed Algeria in Saturday’s other quarter-final. Dominant throughout, the Super Eagles sealed a convincing 2-0 win and will take on hosts and tournament favourites Morocco in a blockbuster semi-final on Wednesday. On Sunday, Real Madrid and Barcelona go head-to-head in Saudi Arabia in the Spanish Super Cup final. Will Kylian Mbappé feature for Los Blancos? The French star, only just back in training after a left knee injury, remains a doubt. In England, the FA Cup third round delivered plenty of drama: Manchester City ran riot, holders Crystal Palace were knocked out, Tottenham crashed out, and Liam Rosenior enjoyed a winning start on the Chelsea bench. In France, Strasbourg – Rosenior’s former club – booked their place in the Coupe de France …

Ivory Coast coach still haunted by 2006 AFCON final loss ahead of Egypt clash

Ivory Coast coach still haunted by 2006 AFCON final loss ahead of Egypt clash

Published by Sam Flores

Jan ‌9 : Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae warned his team to be wary of Egypt ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Saturday, recalling the 2006 final defeat when he was part of the squad. Fae, 41, was a key player in Ivory Coast’s run to the final, which ended in a ‌penalty shootout defeat by Egypt, a result that ‌secured their first title of three as they dominated African football from 2006 to 2010. Egypt have not won the trophy since, losing finals in 2017 and 2021, while Fae led Ivory Coast to the title at the 2023 edition after being appointed interim coach following the dismissal ‍of Jean-Louis Gasset. “Egypt absorbs pressure, they don’t control (games), it’s about disrupting the opponent and, whenever they get a chance, punishing them,” Fae told reporters on Friday. “We were watching Egypt, but you could put the images from 2006 ​back on and it would ‌be exactly the same. “This is exactly the Egypt I expected, an Egypt that always seems to be in …

Ivory Coast beat Gabon 3-2, face Burkina Faso in last-16

Ivory Coast beat Gabon 3-2, face Burkina Faso in last-16

Published by Sam Flores

Dec 31 : Defending ‌champions Ivory Coast came from two goals down to beat already eliminated Gabon 3-2 in Group F at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday as teenager Bazoumana Toure’s headed winner in added time in Marrakech handed them top spot in the pool. The Ivorians finished on seven points from their three games, ahead of Cameroon on goal difference after the latter beat third-placed Mozambique 2-1. Gabon were eliminated after the second match day following ‌successive defeats and were without injured talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but first-half goals ‌from Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga gave them a 2-0 lead. Coach Emerse Fae’s side pulled a goal back through Jean-Philippe Krasso, then forced an equaliser via Evann Guessand with six minutes remaining before Toure sealed the win that sets up a Round of 16 clash with Burkina Faso in Marrakech next Tuesday.  It was a stunning late comeback from the Ivorians, who were outplayed in the first ‍half but their physicality and relentless pursuit of a way back into the game brought reward. …