IRIN Africa | COTE D'IVOIRE: No quick fix for the economy | Cote d'Ivoire | Conflict | Economy | Food Security | Governance

IRIN Africa | COTE D'IVOIRE: No quick fix for the economy | Cote d'Ivoire | Conflict | Economy | Food Security | Governance: "ABIDJAN, 15 September 2011 (IRIN) - When banks and ports in Côte d’Ivoire reopened some five months ago it was a blast of oxygen for the economy, but many in the commercial capital Abidjan are seeing jobs vanish and food prices soar.

Higher food and transport costs coupled with the fallout of unprecedented post-election violence and economic stagnation mean it will be some time before relative political stability translates into better living conditions.

Pauline Brou and her family cannot afford to eat meat more than twice a month. “Milk and sugar prices have been rising all year,” the mother of four told IRIN. She said the price of a 50kg sack of rice has gone up twice since January, from the equivalent of US$29 to $35. Meanwhile her civil servant husband’s pay has stayed at $200 a month for the past four years."

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