# Côte d'Ivoire 66th Independence Celebrations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cte-divoire-66th-independence-preparations > Updated: 2026-08-04T21:25:39.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 4. In late July, nine leading Ivorian musicians recorded an official anthem for the 66th independence anniversary, arranged to promote national cohesion and slated for broadcast at the upcoming events. Deputy‑Mayor Adama Bictogo unveiled the design of Yopougon’s parade float, titled “Côte d’Ivoire in miniature,” featuring two sequences that honor the historic Ebrié people and showcase the country’s cultural diversity, while highlighting six key agricultural products—cocoa, coffee, cotton, cashew, banana and palm oil. The Yopougon district of Abidjan completed extensive public‑works upgrades, installing 23 potable‑water points and improving sanitation to accommodate more than 500,000 visitors expected for the 7 August celebrations. On 2 August, Vice‑Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tené Birahima Ouattara inaugurated the new “Village de l’Indépendance” at Terminus 47, a dedicated venue for the week‑long festivities, with representatives from the PDCI‑RDA, RHDP, FPI and COJEP parties and a minute of silence for the late General Justin Aly Dem. The official independence ceremonies took place on 7 August in Yopougon, led by President Alassane Ouattara, who praised the nation’s founders, honored security forces, and announced a plan to raise local processing of cocoa to 50 % and cashew nuts to 40 % by 2030, underscoring the event’s focus on unity and economic development. In the days preceding the ceremony, President Ouattara prepared a national address, while Vice‑Premier Tené Birahima Ouattara supervised rehearsals for the military parade and urged young people to persevere. Opposition leaders, including Pascal Affi N'Guessan of the Front Populaire Ivoirien and the PPA‑CI, called for a national dialogue and highlighted unfinished reconciliation, presenting ten peace proposals. ## Claims - Côte d'Ivoire celebrated its 66th independence on 7 August 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - President Alassane Ouattara will deliver a speech on independence day. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Vice‑Premier Tené Birahima Ouattara encouraged youth to persevere during military parade rehearsals on 5 August 2026. (single source) - Pascal Affi N'Guessan said Ivory Coast's democracy is unfinished and called for a national political dialogue. (single source) - The party of Laurent Gbagbo (PPA‑CI) said the national reconciliation process remains incomplete and presented ten proposals. (single source) - A decree on 5 August 2026 elevated INFAS to a national public hospital to improve health‑professional training. (single source) - The MFA pledged to achieve 50 % local processing of cocoa and 40 % of cashew nuts by 2030. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Côte d'Ivoire celebrates 66th independence amid reforms and debate Ivory Coast marks its 66th independence on Aug 7 2026 with a presidential speech, military parade, opposition calls for deeper democracy, and new health‑sector reforms. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cte-divoire-government-issues-decrees-to-boost-civil-society-dialogue-animal-health-and-forest-gover ### 2026-08-03: Ivory Coast Vice‑PM Opens Independence Village in Yopougon Ivory Coast’s Vice‑PM Téné Birahima Ouattara inaugurated the new Village de l’Indépendance in Yopougon on 2 Aug 2026, launching the 66th independence celebrations and honoring the late General Justin Aly Dem. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ivory-coast-vicepm-opens-independence-village-in-yopougon ### 2026-07-24: Benin and Côte d'Ivoire communes ready for 66th independence celebrations Benin’s Kétou prepares a cultural night for its 66th independence, while Côte d’Ivoire’s Yopougon upgrades water and sanitation facilities for 500 000 visitors expected at the national celebration. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benin-and-cte-divoire-communes-ready-for-66th-independence-celebrations ### 2026-07-21: Yopougon to host Côte d'Ivoire's 66th Independence celebrations with anthem and parade float Ivorian artists recorded an anthem and Yopougon unveiled a culturally themed parade float for the 66th independence celebration on 7 August. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yopougon-to-host-cte-divoires-66th-independence-celebrations-with-anthem-and-parade-float --- Cite as: Côte d'Ivoire 66th Independence Celebrations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cte-divoire-66th-independence-preparations