The Franco-Ivorian Cooperation Agreements

Abstract

Félix Houphouët-Boigny’s plans to develop his country within the French Community were shattered when in late 1959 the Community came to an early end. In response, and in order to burnish his African nationalist and leadership credentials, he refused to remain in a ‘renovated’ Community and to enter into cooperation agreements with Paris prior to independence. This strongly irritated Charles de Gaulle, who wanted to retain France’s sphere of influence in Africa and was concerned that Houphouët-Boigny’s example could lead to challenges from other former colonies. But the Ivorian leader, flanked by his allies from the Council of the Entente, stood firm, and Côte d’Ivoire became independent in summer 1960. Moreover, he succeeded in forcing de Gaulle to abandon his plans for a common French-led defence in francophone Africa, and obtained from France bespoke defence and military assistance agreements for the Entente in spring 1961.