The Ivorian Regime and the French Security Guarantee

In contrast to his Nigerian counterpart, the Ivorian leader did not have to face any meaningful opposition, and could rely on a strong presidential constitution, a one-party system, and his moral and tribal authority. But fearful of the potential of foreign-, especially Ghanaian-sponsored subversion to his regime, he entered into secret arrangements that put French forces in charge of his personal and regime’s security. When in 1963 subversion became a reality in francophone Africa, Houphouët-Boigny became increasingly paranoid. Detecting subversive activities and coup attempts in Côte d’Ivoire itself, he thus moved against supposed conspirators and simultaneously reasserted his authoritarian rule. The French support he thereby received was, however, limited, because Paris was concerned that too heavy an involvement in the domestic security of African states could be detrimental to its international reputation.