ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire , October 3, 2002 — The armed uprising on September 19 by forces opposed to the government left at least 270 people dead and more than 300 injured, according to a report from the Bible Society. The outbreak of conflict was totally unexpected, especially as social and political tensions had been greatly eased by a new mood of reconciliation between the leaders of the main political parties.
 The rebel soldiers control the mostly Muslim north, and the government clings to the south where the Christian religion dominates.
French troops rescue missionary children
In Bouake French troops rescued 200 foreign children and staff from a boarding school for children of missionaries. American and French troops evacuated nearly 1000 foreign nationals from the airport in Yamoussoukro.
| Fact Box: Ivory Coast |
Population:
16,393,221
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.21% (male 3,802,397; female 3,773,455)
15-64 years: 51.57% (male 4,343,518; female 4,110,805)
65 years and over: 2.22% (male 180,463; female 182,583) (2001 est.)
Ethnic groups:
Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (1998)
Religions:
Christian 34%, Muslim 27%, no religion 21%, animist 15%, other 3% (1998)
note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
Languages:
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Literacy:
Definition: Age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48.5%
male: 57%
female: 40% |
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- Source: CIA World Fact Book
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Ordinary people were greatly shocked by the extent of the violence, in which a number of politicians were killed or kidnapped. It soon became clear that these were not simply random acts of violence but that a highly organized attempt to overthrow the government was being made using a vast range of weapons acquired from abroad.
The Bible Society of Côte d'Ivoire is responding to the renewed feeling of national solidarity in Côte d'Ivoire following an attempted coup by producing a scripture booklet entitled Secours en Temps d'Epreuve ('Help in Testing Times').
Along with the rest of the population, Bible Society staff were taken by surprise by the rapidly unfolding events. However, General Secretary Jean Kouassi states that they "thank God that, although caught unawares and suffering many losses of life within their ranks, government troops were able to put a stop to the rebels' wicked plan." He indicates that the situation is now becoming calmer: "we believe that the nightmare is coming to an end."
Senegal President Calls for Prayer
The Bible Society of Côte d'Ivoire is also responsible for Bible work in Senegal, and the booklet has been offered to N'gom Ousseynou, the Bible Society Representative in Senegal. The booklet is being offered there, for use in responding to the sinking of the ferry Le Joola on September 26 off the coast of Gambia. It is believed that almost 1,000 people died when the overcrowded ferry overturned in bad weather. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has called for prayer, saying that "at times like this, the nation must be united to cope with the grief."
Source: United Bible Societies, Bible Network News
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