Constitutional Council, national constitutional court in the Ivory Coast
The Constitutional Council is a court in Abidjan that oversees how the government functions and ensures laws comply with the constitution. The body consists of a president and six advisors appointed by different branches of government, each serving a six-year term.
The council was established in 1994 to ensure laws comply with the constitution. After reforms in 2000 expanded its powers, it gained greater influence over elections and constitutional disputes, and played a pivotal role during the 2010 presidential crisis.
The council carries the name of a body whose purpose is to safeguard the lawfulness of the state's order. Visitors can observe how the institution operates in modern office spaces and engages with fundamental questions of rule of law.
Visits must be arranged in advance as the building is not open for drop-in access. The facility is located in Yamoussoukro and is reachable by public transportation, with most visitor programs occurring during regular business hours.
The body includes former presidents of the country among its members unless they decline to serve. This unusual provision brings experience from previous leadership positions into oversight of current government decisions.
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