Pray for the Dioula people of Cote d’Ivoire

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The vast majority of the 841,000 Dioula (Jula) people of Cote d’Ivoire are Muslim. They are credited with the spread of Islam throughout the region. In the popular language of Cote d’Ivoire the terms “Dioula” and “Muslim” are interchangeable. To be a Dioula is to be a Muslim. To become a Muslim is to become a Dioula as far as most people in Cote d’Ivoire are concerned. The ethnic Dioula have their roots in the region of Kong in the northern part of the country. A Dioula empire existed in Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali between the 15th and 18th centuries.

War in Cote d’Ivoire

Owing to the forced dispersion of the Dioula people following the Islamic jihad of Samory Tour (1897) and the mobile nature of Dioula traders, the Dioula are found in virtually every city in Cote d’Ivoire. Traditionally, the Dioula are considered traders and businessmen. Their influence in the trade and commerce of the country has played and continues to play an important role.

The 1990’s in Cote d’Ivoire

During the 1990s, following the death of Felix Houphout-Boigny (the founding father of Cote d’Ivoire) and the installation of a multi-party political system, there were growing tensions between the southern and northern peoples. On 19 September 2002, armed conflict broke out in Cote d’Ivoire. In the first few weeks of fighting the country was effectively cut in half, forcing many to flee their homes while trying to get out of harm’s way. As the war continued many Dioula were forced to flee south. Many Dioula youth joined forces with the northern MPCI (Mouvement Patriotique de Cote d’Ivoire) at the beginning of the conflict. Dioula people living in the south are at high risk.

Prayer:

* Owing to the conflict, there are few Christian organisations working with the Dioula at this time. Many churches in northern Cote d’Ivoire have been closed, and most missionaries working in that area have left for security reasons.
Pray for those Christians and churches that have remained. They have usually been treated with fairness by the rebel forces. Pastors need special wisdom as they give counsel and teach. Pray that these churches and church leaders will be strong witnesses for Christ during this period of reconciliation and rebuilding.

* Pray that the results of this war will bring many Dioula to Christ, regardless of the poor testimony of many Christians in the south who have chosen to hate their enemies rather than love them.

* Pray that those Dioula who have trusted Christ and have remained faithful to Him throughout this conflict will be a strong witness to their brethren.

* Many churches in the northern parts of Cote d’Ivoire have seen significant growth despite the mass exodus of missionaries at the beginning of this conflict. Praise God for a renewed spirit of trust in God during this time.

* Pray for the leaders of Cote d’Ivoire. The country remains divided, with deep resentment and suspicion. Reconciliation must begin in the hearts of people. With the presidential elections scheduled for October 2005, there is considerable potential for more conflict.

* Praise: There is a New Testament in Dioula!!!

Background on Cote d’Ivoire (World Factbook)

Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d’Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d’Ivoire’s history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert GUEI blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent GBAGBO into power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remain unresolved. The central government has yet to exert control over the northern regions and tensions remain high between GBAGBO and opposition leaders. Several thousand French and West African troops remain in Cote d’Ivoire to maintain peace and facilitate the disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation process.

Economy of Cote d’Ivoire

Cote d’Ivoire is among the world’s largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to weather conditions and to fluctuations in international prices for these products. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population. The government remains hopeful that ongoing exploration of Cote d’Ivoire’s offshore oil reserves will result in significant production that could boost daily crude output from roughly 33,000 barrels per day (b/d) to more than 200,000 b/d by the end of the decade.

Statistics on Cote d’Ivoire

Population: 18,373,060 — see notes below (July 2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 49.12 years

Ethnic groups: Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French)

Religions: Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40%, Christian 20-30%
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: 50.9% male: 57.9% female: 43.6%

Population figure Notes: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.