Cocoa Crisis in the Ivory Coast

An Ivory Coast court has sentenced 15 prominent "cocoa barons" for embezzlement that began during the tenure of former President Laurent Gbagbo. The corruption of the Ivory Coast's most lucrative industry is of no surprise. Gbagbo's term in office was mired by corruption, violence, and crimes against humanity. Charges are currently pending on the former president. Upon his defeat in the Ivory Coast's latest election, Gbagbo refused to leave office before finally being forcefully removed. As A&R have proven, this created a highly extractive and volatile dynamic that allowed the "cocoa barons" to exploit such economic and political institutions to their benefits. When the political arrangement allows for such corruption at the highest levels of government, it should be of no surprise that society organizes itself in an exploitative and extractive manner.