Operation Autumn Return
Cote d'Ivoire, a West African country of 16 million, was once touted as a pillar of stability in western Africa. Although the Cote d'Ivoire prospered for 33 years under President Felix Houphouet-Boigny, political, economic, and social strains became more pronounced under President Henri Konan Bedie, resulting in a coup against him on 24 December 1999. These strains increased under junta leader, General Robert Guei, resulting in his electoral defeat in October 2000. President Laurent Gbagbo inherited this volatility along with an economy in decline. On 19 September 2002, Guei led a revolt in an attempt to overthrow the government, but Gbagbo survived while Guei was killed in the clash.
The political and military crisis led to fighting throughout the country that threatened hundreds third-country nationals and a significant number of American citizens, most notably students at the International Christian Academy located in Bouake.
In response to the crisis, the American ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire, requested an evacuation of American citizens. From 24 September to 4 October 2002 USEUCOM directed the evacuation of over 300 American citizens and others.
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