This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire (Republique de Cote d'Ivoire), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Cote d'Ivoire's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status.
Country Background
Cote d'Ivoire is a country located in Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea. It is bounded by Ghana, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea. The capital of Cote d'Ivoire is Yamoussoukro. While Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan is the commercial and administrative center, and many countries (including the United States) maintain their embassies in Abidjan. The official language is French, and there are 60 other native dialects spoken in the country. The country's population in 2017 was approximately 24.2 million. Cote d'Ivoire is a predominantly Muslim country, with about 43% of the population Muslim and 34% Christian. The foreign migrant population in Cote d'Ivoire is also predominantly Muslim, with 72% Muslim and 18% Christian. Cote d'Ivoire is a member state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Constitution & Legal Structure
Cote d'Ivoire is referred to as a presidential republic, in which sovereignty belongs to the people and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The current Constitution of Cote d'Ivoire was adopted in 2000. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The legal system of Cote d'Ivoire is a civil law system based on the French civil code. Judicial review of legislation is held in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court.
Constitutional Status of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no constitutional status in Cote d'Ivoire.
Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Cote d'Ivoire.
Dominant School of Islamic Law
Cote d'Ivoire has no official school of Islamic law. The majority of the Muslim population in the country is Sunnī (adhering to the Mālikī school).
Sources of Law for Legal Research
Official Publications
Unofficial Databases
References:
For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].