Ivory Coast

The struggle

Félix Houphouët-Boigny began as a planter organising African farmers against forced labour, and the 1946 abolition of the corvée was his movement's first victory. He led the RDA across French West Africa, then chose close alignment with Paris over federation. Côte d'Ivoire became independent on 7 August 1960.

Key people

• Félix Houphouët-Boigny

  1905–1993

  Founded the African Agricultural Union and the RDA; first president

• Marie Koré

  1910–1953

  Led the 1949 women's march on Grand-Bassam prison

• Queen Abla Pokou

  Founding figure of the Baoulé, invoked by the nationalist movement