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Leader of African Soccer

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Each country has its own positive things. They can be anything: society, politics, culture, art and music. These positive things play a big role in shaping up the country. They do not have to be famous, but they hold the value of the people and the country. For Ivory Coast, I think that the most positive thing about this country a game of sport, called soccer.

If you asked everybody who watches soccer about national soccer teams in Africa, they all would know about how good Ivory Coast national soccer team is. Soccer is a major sport in Ivory Coast, and there are soccer fields existed in every town and villages in Ivory Coast. The Ivory Coast national soccer team is controlled by the Federation Ivoirienne de Football or FIF. Moreover, Ivorian national soccer team, also known as “The Elephant”, is always famous in its continent, but it is known worldwide after it qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Elephant has an impressive record in African Cup of Nation. The team captured fourth place in 1970 and 2008, third place in 1965, 1968, 1986, and 1994, second place in 2006 and 2012, and it won the cup in 1992 against Ghana on penalties at the Stade Leopold Senghor in Dakar, Senegal. Other than that, it captured fourth place in FIFA Confederation Cup in 1992. Most importantly, Ivorian national soccer team has qualified for three consecutive World Cups, first in Germany in 2006, second in South Africa in 2010, and lastly in Brazil in 2014. Unfortunately, they have never moved on from the group stage. Nevertheless, the Elephant has produced many world class soccer players; for example, Didier Drogba who is now playing for Chelsea Football Club in Barclay Premiere League in England, Yaya Toure who is now playing for Manchester City Football Club in the same league with Drogba, and Gervinho who is now playing for Associazione Sportiva Roma in Serie A in Italy. In national ranking, Ivory Coast is ranked 25th in the world, higher than Russia, Sweden, and Poland; furthermore, it is ranked 2nd in Africa. Ivorian national soccer team once was ranked 12th in the world in 2013, which is the highest ranking it has ever gotten.

For the Ivorian, soccer is more than just a sport. In 2002, the First Ivorian Civil War began. The Ivorian split into two sides; the rebel held Muslim North and the government held Christian South. There were raids and hostile attacks on foreign troops and civilians. This conflict came to an end, thanks to the Ivorian national soccer team that qualified for the 2006 World Cups in Germany. This qualification of the team led to the temporary truce between the two sides, which decrease the tension between the two parties. Moreover, this truce led to a peace agreement to end the conflict, which was signed on 4 March 2007.

I think that it is a wonderful thing that a game of sport can bring people from the entire nation to come together and stop the violence. I always know that Ivory Coast soccer is the best in its continent, and the knowledge that it also brought truce between the two sides in the First Ivorian Civil War amazed me even more. This teaches me that little group of people, uninvolved with politics or religions, can bring peace to the whole nation. More importantly, this makes me change my thought toward this country and the game of soccer. It makes me want to learn more of how this game will shape Ivory Coast future, as it played a significant role in bringing peace to the country in 2006. Remember, sport is much more than just a game.

Felix Houphouet-Boigny

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Felix Houphouet-Boigny was one of the most important anticolonial revolutionary figures in the world. He was also the first president of Cote d’Ivoire. Furthermore, he worked as a medical aide, union leader, and planter before being elected to the French Parliament. He served many positions in French Parliament before leading Cote d’Ivoire to independence in 1960. All through his life, he played an important role in decolonizing Africa.

Houphouet-Boigny was born on 18 October 1905, in Yamoussoukro to a family of hereditary chief of the “Baoule” people. Later on, the French colonial administration recognize him as future chief, so they plan him to go to school at the military post in Bonzi. For that reason, Houphouet-Boigny was converted to Christianity. He was the first in his class; he later obtained teaching degree and qualified as a medical assistant. Then, he married Kady Racine Snow and had five children. In October 1945, he was elected to represent in the French Parliament.

Unlike other African leaders who demanded independence immediately, Felix Houphouet-Boigny wanted careful transition because he thought that political independence without economic independence was worthless. On 28 September 1958 Charles de Gaulle proposed a constitutional referendum to the Franco-African community: the territories were given the choice of either supporting the constitution or proclaiming their independence and being cut off from France. Houphouet-Boigny chose Cote d’Ivoire to join Franco-African community, even though there was much opposition to his decision. Other than that, he also worked to end the dominance of Senegal in West Africa and a political confrontation ensued between Ivorian and Senegalese leaders. Houphouet-Boigny refused to participate in the Inter-African conference in Dakar on 31 December 1958, which was intended to lay down the foundation for the Federation of Francophone African States. Although that federation was never realized, Senegal and Mali (known at the time as French Sudan) formed their own political union, the Mali Federation. After de Gaulle allowed the Mali Federation independence in 1959, Houphouet-Boigny tried to sabotage the federation’s efforts to wield political control; in cooperation with France, he managed to convince Upper Volta, Dahomey, and Niger to withdraw from the Mali Federation, before it collapsed in August 1960. Two months after the 1958 referendum, seven member states of French West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, became autonomous republics within the French Community. Houphouet-Boigny had won his first victory against those supporting federalism.

Houphouet-Boigny became the first president of Cote d’Ivoire and began drafting a new constitution for Cote d’Ivoire after it gained independence from France on 7 August 1960. He was also reelected from 1965 to 1985. Other than being the leader of his country, he was also the leader Africa, and he created Conseil de l’Entente to allow shared management of certain public services, provide solidarity fund accessible to member countries, and provide funding for various development projects through low interest loans to member states.

On 7 December 1993, Houphouet-Boigny passes away. At the time of his death, Houphouet-Boigny was the longest-serving leader in Africa and the third in the world, after Fidel Castro of Cuba and Kim Il Sung of North Korea. To establish his legacy as a man of peace, Houphouet-Boigny created an award in 1989, sponsored by UNESCO and funded entirely by extra-budgetary resources provided by the Felix-Houphouet-Boigny Foundation, to honor those who search for peace.

Colonization in Africa v. Colonization in America

During the sixteenth century, European power expanded its colonization to America and Africa. The arrival of European resulted in demographic and biological changes, disturbance of politics, new trade, religions, and technologies. Though the European colonized both continents, Africa was more affected by the European and America was more transformed by the European.

The intention for European sailed to Africa is to trade; they trade human being or slave, which later became the most profitable item to trade. This results in the death of million Africans. There are three main slave trades: Trans-Saharan slave trade, East African slave trade, and Trans Atlantic slave trade. These trade caused million of African to lose their life. The European’s interest in African increased in the late 18th century.

Nevertheless, Great Britain abolished the African slave trade in 1807. The abolition of slave trade resulted in the change in trade and it ruined the economy. This turned into a chaos, which opened the way for European trading companies and adventurers to increase their authority.

European powers were so powerful that in the late 18th century, only Liberia and Ethiopia were the only African states that were not colonized by the European. The two main European colonial systems in Africa were Britain and France. Britain used “Indirect Rule” to control its colony. Indirect Rule is the rule that ruled through traditional tribal authorities. It is believed to be the most effective method to govern and collect most revenue possible. Moreover, British appointees who were more cooperative to the colonial regime would replace any traditional leader who was not acceptable to the colonial power. The other rule is “Direct Rule”, which was used by the French. This rule established administrative units that cut across traditional boundaries, and it also established an African elite who would accept French standards and then became associated with French rulers in the work of governing colonies. Additionally, all locally born residents had the right of French citizenship.

In the colonization time, lands were taken away from African who had occupied the land for countless generations, railroads and ports were built to transport minerals and agricultural products to oversea market, and African became more involved in the world economy. The map of Africa in today world was also created by Europeans power. The humiliation of colonialism ended after World War II; each African country start to gain its independence.

On the other side of the Atlantic, several permanent European settlements were established along the North America’s Atlantic coast. European colonists found that they could easily exploit resources such as silver and fur, they could also profit from the agricultural goods such as tobacco from American soil. These European colonists also waged wars against the American Indians and occupied their lands.

After the British established the town, they bought the slaves from Africa to work in their plantation. The colonists gained profit by trading fur and tobacco with the European. Later on, these colonists felt that it is unfair for them to get taxed from the British parliament with no representatives. This resulted in protest against the British and war.

The American declared its independence on July 4th, 1776, which resulted in the revolutionary war between the 13 colonies and the British. This war ended with the American gained independence and the lost of British colony.

There are some differences and similarities of colonization in Africa and in America. First, there were slave trades in Africa colony, but not in America. Instead, the colonists in America bought slaves from Africa to work in their plantation. Second, the British ruled them both. Lastly, the colonists in America fought for their independence from the British and they gained their independent much earlier than the African countries did.

 

History of Cote d’Ivoire

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There is not much evidence and information about the primary inhabitant of Cote d’Ivoire. Though, the first recorded is discovered in the history of North African Traders who traveled across Sahara to trade mainly salt, gold, and slave. It is recorded that Cote d’Ivoire was part of several Sudanic Empires: Ghana Empire, Mali Empire, and Songhai Empire. Moreover, these empires adopted Islam from the Arab traders; as a result, Islam was spread to Cote d’Ivoire.

Ghana Empire is located north of contemporary Cote d’Ivoire. It gained power and wealth from gold; moreover, it introduced the use of camel, which helped the empire to be able to transport gold in larger quantity. It had capital city named “Kumbi Saleh”, and it located at the edge of the Sahara. This city immediately became the most lively and significant southern end of Sahara trade route; furthermore, this city contributed to the empire wealth by taxation. Later on, this Empire declined due to many reasons: the king lost his trade authority and drought happened, which caused the land to lose its ability to do agriculture on. After the decline, many other empires targeted Ghana Empire for its gold; in the end, Ghana Empire was absorbed by Mali Empire of Sudiata.

Mali Empire acquired northwest corner of Cote d’Ivoire, and it deeply influenced the culture of West Africa by spreading its language and laws. This empire was founded by sultan Sundiata in the 13th Century. Though, the most famous ruler of this empire is Mansa Musa, who ruled from about 1312 to 1332; during his reign, he doubled Mali Empire’s territory. He was also known for his journey to Mecca, in which he brought 60,000 people, 200 camels, and gold with him. Like Ghana Empire, Mali became the important trading center of Western Africa. Other than that it was the trade center, it was also the center of wealth, culture, and education. For that reason, many libraries and universities were built, and it became the meeting place of poets, scholars, and artists. Then, Mansa Musa conquered the neighboring kingdom, Songhai Empire; but after his death, Mali Empire started to fell apart and Songhai Empire regained its independent.

After Songhai Empire regained its capital, Sonni Ali, the new leader of Songhai Empire, conquered many neighboring empire, including Mali Empire. He was the greatest military leader of Songhai Empire; he gained more than 1,400,000 square kilometers of land for Songhai Empire. He also controlled important trade route, which brought so much wealth to the empire. Despite his greatness, Sonni Ali was as a intolerant tyrant in many African record after he caused harm to the city of Timbuktu. Sonni Ali later was overthrown by Askia the Great. Askia the Great reorganized the conquered territory and expanded it even more. However, Songhai Empire fall, and was divided into warring kingdoms.

There is not much information about the Empires that were associated with Cote d’Ivoire. Some historians believe that the reason that there are not many evidences because they are not well preserved in the country’s humid climate. Some believe that the evidences were displaced. The history of Cote d’Ivoire remains a mystery and it requires historians and archeologists to study Cote d’Ivoire in a deeper level.

Republic of Cote d’Ivoire

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Republic of Cote d’Ivoire is one of the most flourishing counties in Africa; it gains its prosperity from exporting cocoa. Though Abidjan city is its commercial city and its executive central, Yamoussoukro is its official capital city. Generally, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire has tropical climate along its coast, and semi-arid or steppe climate in the north. About the natural beauty, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire has series of lovely beaches along the coast, and magnificent boundless land of rainforest.

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It has three seasons: it has warm and dry season from November to March, hot and dry season from March to May, and hot and wet season from June to October. For its terrain, Republic of Cote d’Ivoire is mostly flat plain; nevertheless, it has some mountains in the northwest part. Moreover, it has total of four regions: Lagunes, Northern Savanna, Southwestern Forests, and Eastern Plantations. Lagunes is in the southeastern part of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and it is the coastal area around Abidjan. Northern Savanna is in the northern part of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. Southwestern Forests is the southwestern part of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and it is the tropical wet forest area, which is currently inhabited by Kru people. Eastern Plantations is in the eastern part of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and it is the region where the capital city of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire is located.

In these regions there are three national parks that are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. First, Tai National Park has the largest rainforest in West Africa. It is located in southwest of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, and it contains wonderful natural flora and threatened mammal species. Second, Comoe National Park is located in northeastern part of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. In this area, it holds the floodplains around River Come, which it creates grasslands that becomes the food source for the Hippopotamus amphibious. Lastly, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is located on the boarders of Guinea, Liberia, and Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. Furthermore, it is the mountain covering in grass, which is the habitat of many gorgeous flora and fauna with endemic species.

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There are many attractions in this country. If you are an adventurous person, there is a 230 meters tall mountain called, “Mount Nienokoue,” which the tourists are allowed to climb; during the climb,you will find spectacular views and exotic animals. If you are not into adventure so much, you can go sightseeing around town by using bus service. In the town, you can shop in many local shops for a traditional wooden mask, or you can eat local cuisine such as, Garba, Alloco, and Attieke. Outside the town, tourist villages, beaches, and photo safaris are the major attractions of Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. For recommendation, you should have a French speaker with you while you are on your trip because French is the official language of this country; though there are many other native dialects such as, Diola, Hamdunga, Gigala, Oloofid, Loftus Africanus, and Ulam.

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After reading all of this, you should already want to visit Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. To visit Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, you can get a flight daily either from Paris, Istanbul, or Brussels, to the Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport. Just a friendly reminder, do not forget to contact the embassy for the visa information before visiting Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and do not forget to have fun.

Mali Landmine Kills Four UN Peacekeepers

September 2nd, 2014

Source from: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29036996

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BBC posted this news article on September 2nd, 2014. This article states that four of the UN peacekeepers were killed and fifteen other were injured by the landmine in Northern Mali; in which was resulted from the increased attack in the past week. At first, no one declares to be an attacker of this attack; later on, Al-Qaeda claimed to be an attacker.

This article is very important as it shows how cruel the Al-Qaeda is and what the UN peacekeepers and soldiers have to face in their daily life. This stimulates the feeling of sadness and sorrow toward the fallen soldiers. This reminds people that the world that they live in is not a peaceful world, but it is very brutal.

The author uses strong words to create strong tone toward the situation. For example, the author uses the phrase “extremely serious condition” to show how badly injured the peacekeepers are. This phrase gives the strong and pessimistic tones toward this situation. It makes the reader to think that the situation is very serious and cruel. The author shows how the fatal the situation is in Mali by using the word, “increased attacks.” The author also uses normal tone when representing the facts to show that the facts that they are representing are real.

This tone and words make me to have a negative feeling toward Mali. It makes me feel scare to go to Mali. I think this news only represents the bad side of Mali, which shows the stereotype of how people think that the countries in Africa are full of terrorists and danger. It gives the sense of hopelessness where the situation could not improve, but instead it could possibly get worst.

The source of this article is from BBC News. BBC News is a famous news organization, which many people trust in. Therefore, the article from this news industry is very powerful. People tend to believe in what this news industry presents not only on the Internet, but also on the television. This is also an Western news industry, so it can be a little bias toward the UN side. This news might exaggerate the cruelty of the terrorists to create hatred from the people toward the terrorists.

In my opinion about the issue, I think that this is a very serious issue that UN should take care of immediately. I do not want to read, hear, or watch this news about the terrorists’ attack or war in Africa anymore. I think that there are other alternate ways to solve this problem other than responding by force. The terrorists should start to realize that what they are doing is wrong and need to be stop. For the words and tone, I think that the tone that the author of this article uses is an appropriate tone. I think that they use the tone to provoke people to realize that there is a situation that needed to be fixed in Africa and warn them that there is danger in Mali. This problem needs to be fixed and it should bring back the peace to Mali.