Côte d’Ivoire: Eid al-Adha expected to begin September 1

Event

Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) this year beginning September 1. During the festivities, which last up to four days, some local businesses may close in Muslim-majority areas. Heavy road traffic is likely as large numbers of people return home during the holiday. Other transportation disruptions (crowded airports, etc.) are also to be anticipated during this period due to an increased number of travelers. While celebrations typically remain peaceful, the terrorist threat will remain elevated during this period as groups, including Al-Qa'ida and their affiliates could step up attacks by targeting public places.

Context

Eid al-Adha is one of the most widely observed holidays in Islam and coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. According to Islamic customs, worshipers usually slaughter a sheep or goat to share the meat with their family and neighbors.

Around 40 percent of the population is Muslim.

Côte d'Ivoire has become prone to terrorist attacks due to its participation to the counter-terrorist United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and its support to the French counter-terrorist operations, as a large part of the French troops are stationed in the country. The terrorist attack in the Grand Bassam seaside resort on March 13, 2016 (19 killed; 22 injured), only confirmed this assumption.

Advice

Individuals in Côte d'Ivoire are advised to allow additional time for travel, and to avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering.

On a more general note, due to tensions between ethnic groups and occasional outbreaks of deadly violence, some Western governments advise against nonessential travel to the southwestern border areas with Liberia (Bas-Sassandra, Haut-Sassandra, Dix-Huit Montagnes regions).