established 1960

Capital:
Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official
capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and
administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its
Embassy in Abidjan

Administrative divisions:
19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele, Dix-Huit
Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes, Marahoue,
Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes, Sud-Bandama,
Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan

Independence:
7 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 August (1960)

Constitution:
a new constitution was adopted 4 August 2000

Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review
in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000);
note - seized power following a popular overthrow of the interim
leader Gen. Robert GUEI who had claimed a dubious victory in
presidential elections; Gen. GUEI himself had assumed power on 25
December 1999, following a military coup against the government of
former President Henri Konan BEDIE
head of government: Prime Minister Seydou DIARRA (since 25 January
2003); note - appointed as transitional Prime Minister by President
GBAGBO as part of a French brokered peace plan
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote
- Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other
2.2%

Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats;
members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by
direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on
14 January 2001 (next to be held NA 2005)
note: a Senate is scheduled to be created in the next full election
in 2005
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour