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(From left to right) Ambassador Hooks, MM. Kouassi, Angoran and Guie. Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy

Ivorian Leaders Discuss World Bank Report on “Breaking the Conflict Trap”

On January 25, the US Embassy organized a book discussion on the World Bank Report called: “Breaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy.” About one hundred participants including ministers, diplomats, religious, political and community leaders attended the program.

U.S. Ambassador Aubrey Hooks opened the session, encouraging participants to examine the conflict resolution strategies given in the Report with an eye out to any that might be tried in the Ivorian context. In his remarks, Mr. Jean-Claude Kouassi, speaking on behalf of the Ivoirian Prime Minister, described the book as an essential guide to conflict resolution and regional stability. Book Reviewer and principal panelist, Mr. Yed Essaie Angoran, summed up the report’s findings in one powerful phrase: “Conflict stops development, and development stops conflict.” 

During the open question and commentary time that followed the opening remarks, moderator Honoré Guié led a group discussion where program participants focused on the negative and long term impact of civil war on a nation’s economic and social development – something everyone present realized they would be dealing with for years to come.