Publication

This publication investigates the extent to which natural resources have contributed to causing and sustaining armed conflict in Côte d'Ivoire as well as how natural resource exploitation can contribute to peace and development. The authors first provide a history of conflict in Côte d'Ivoire and note the impact of immigration on the conflict. They then examine the various mechanisms linking natural resources to conflict with reference to resource governance, before focusing on five resources in particular: cocoa, diamonds, gold, oil and gas. The paper concludes that vast improvements in resource governance, democratic accountability and institutional reform are necessary.