Mister Kpakpato, BIOGRAPHY OF FELIX HOUPHOUET BOIGNY

Felix HOUPHOUET BOIGNY (born in October 18, 1905 in Yamoussoukro, today political Capital of the Ivory Coast and called “the wise man” or even “Nanan Boigny” or “Nanan Houphouët”) is the founder of the Republic of the Ivory Coast. Belonging to the Baoulé ethnic group, Houphouet BOIGNY’s destiny begun developing when he was 5 since he has been promoted Chief of “Akoué” (a sub-group of the Baoulé ethnic group). Thereafter, he joined the Teacher Training School and completed his training with medicine studies in Dakar (Senegal). However he had a great career in politics. Founder of the African Democratic Alliance, he fought for the independence of Africa. Successively traditional chief, doctor, farmer, trade union leader, deputy for Ivory Coast in France, minister for many french governments, chairman of the Ivory Coast Parliament, mayor of Abidjan, Prime Minister and then first President of Ivory Coast from 1960 (date of the independence of the country) to December 1993 (date of his death), Felix Houphouët-Boigny held a first order role in the process of decolonization of Africa, and dominated until the end of his life, the political scene of his country (Ivory Coast).

During 30 years, Houphouet BOIGNY used of a powerful presidential regime in an african context dominated by the logic of “mono-party system”. In fact he thought of preserving a unit within his country in order to avoid dispersing the political power within the multiple ethnic groups which compose the country. In favour of the liberalism, Houphouet BOIGNY developed the infrastructures of his country and thus encouraged the foreign investors. Supporter of the “France-Africa Alliance” (a close cooperation between Africa french-speaking countries and France) he succeeded in this way in developing economically Ivory Coast, particularly in the agricultural sector, converting his country into “a small island of prosperity” on a continent mined by poverty. People speak then about “economic miracle of Ivory Coast”. The crisis appeared since 1980 with the drastic fall of raw materials world rates obliged President Houphouet BOIGNY to change his policy by leading the country to pluralism under the pressure of the main backers of the country. In fact a ripple of multiparty system ran through the Africa continent. In 1990, Houphouët BOIGNY is re-elected for a last mandate since he dies in 1993.

Since the death of this remarkable politician whose wisdom, charisma and pragmatism gave to the African and singularly Ivory Coast people a real reason for pride, this country passes through the longest political crisis of its history. And it is paradoxically this political crisis which makes Ivorians meet around the real values (of which most important remains the permanent search of PEACE by Dialogue) formerly promoted by Houphouët Boigny “The wise man of Yamoussoukro”. And it is also this concept of PEACE that guides today all actions undertaken by “Mister Kpakpato” (the late President Houphouët BOIGNY’s godson). This one thinks that peacemakers all over the world should wish Houphouët BOIGNY a good rest in the PEACE of God./.

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Commemoration of the dead of the late Houphouët BOIGNY (Peace disciple):
December 7 of each year

The late President Houphouët BOIGNY’s major Community Services in favour of Peace:

.Role of negotiator in the resolution of several world conflicts of which most important remain in one hand the abolition of Apartheid in South Africa (White regime of discrimination against Blacks) with the Release of Nelson Mandela in 1992 and in the other hand Israel-Palestine conflict unfortunately topical today
.Foundation Felix Houphouët BOIGNY for Peace searching in Yamoussoukro (a large building intended to house International Conferences particularly for Peace solutions). Its keys have been officially placed in UNESCO keeping.
.Construction in Yamoussoukro of the Basilica “Notre Dame” for Peace (the largest, highest and most beautiful basilica in the world). It is legally managed by the VATICAN.
.Prize Felix Houphouët BOIGNY for Peace searching. This Prize which comes in addition to the Nobel Prize for Peace is also sponsored by UNESCO.
.Promotion of Peace, Mutual Tolerance and Dialogue as far as Cultures and Religions are concerned.

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BIOGRAPHY of the Late President FELIX HOUPHOUET BOIGNY