Bouaké: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:37, 12 November 2006

Revision as of 14:15, 24 February 2007

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'''Bouaké''' is the second largest city in [[Côte d'Ivoire]], with a population of 461,618 (1998 census). Its economy is based on the [[cotton]] industry. It is a centre for [[Baoulé]] people and is known for [[crafts]]. The city lies north of [[Yamoussoukro]] on the [[Abidjan]] to [[Ouagadougou]] railway. The city largely grew from the [[1970s]] after the construction of the [[Kossou Dam]] flooded land to the west. Bouaké is known for its large [[carnival]] and market and for [[St Michael's Cathedral (Bouaké)]]. The city has a large [[Bouaké Airport|airport]] to the north-west of town with a 3,300m runway.

[[France|French]] and [[United Nations]] [[Peacekeeping|peacekeeper]]s currently reside in the city as part of an enforced [[ceasefire]] between the rebel-held north and the government-held south. After the attempt to overthrow the president [[Laurent Gbagbo]] had failed, the rebel fourcesforces FN (forces nouvelles) led by Guillaume Soro made Bouaké their center of control. Subsequently, [[Bouaké University]], opened in 1996, was closed down in September 2002. Financed by [[Unesco]], the university reopened in April, 2005.

On [[November 4]], [[2004]], governmental forces used Sukohi-25's to raid the city as an opening movement towards "territorial liberation," according to Captain Jean-Noël Abbey of the Côte D'Ivoire army. [[Korhogo]], 225 km north of Bouaké, was also targeted.