The gleaming white basilica overlooking Yamoussoukro symbolizes the ambitions of Ivory Coast’s modern capital, a goal that has yet to be reached 40 years after it was carved out of the tropical countryside.
This was the dream of the first post-colonial president, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who wanted to turn the village of his birth, N’Gokro, into a political center. The decision was issued on March 21, 1983.
Gradually the city emerged and was renamed in honor of Yamousso, the queen of the regional Baoule ethnic group and the aunt of a person respected as “FHB”.
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The city has no resources
Forty years later, this former agricultural village is home to 300,000 people but the few national institutions only the Senate and the national chamber of traditional chiefs and kings have been transferred to the city.
On its edge, plants extend the construction site left for the National Assembly and the presidential palace, launched by former president Laurent Gbagbo.
“The determination to move the capital to Yamoussoukro is there, what is lacking is the resources,” said regional governor Augustin Thiam.
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The city should choose an independent project
“As a region, we cannot find loans in the international market, so we have to choose projects that are financially independent,” he said. “But I hope that it will happen one day.”
The city has become a tourism magnet, not least for its majestic canals filled with caimans, crocodile cousins and modernist buildings such as the Houphouet-Boigny foundation.
Also visible from almost every corner is the basilica of Our Lady of Peace, which at 158 meters (520 feet) is one of the tallest religious structures in the world.
“Houphouet is trying to build Yamoussoukro little by little on three pillars: education with the main schools, religion with the basilica, and tourism,” said Nanan Kouassi Konan, head of the neighboring village of Kami, one of the former president’s homes when he grew up. .
“This city is strategically located, a crossroads in the middle of the country. Everything passes here,” he said.
Officials aim to build an economic base
Serge Pokou, a farmer and hotel operator, moved with his family a few years ago.
“As I chose the calm of Yamoussoukro and the mix of country and modern city, with preserved African heritage,” he said.
City officials are now aiming to build an economic base beyond tourism, with plans for an industrial zone that could attract more businesses.
“The main schools in Yamoussoukro are struggling to keep engineers and technicians because there is no industry here,” Loucou said.
Pokou agreed, “But we have to make sure that we preserve the identity of the city and its peace, the most important thing is the reason people live here or want to come.”
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