19th century – 20th century
Ivory Coast, West Africa
Baule resistance to French expansion was a series of confrontations, treaties and guerrilla campaigns opposing French penetration into Baule territory in the Ivory Coast. Resistance began with the Tiassalé chief Etien Komenan’s refusal to facilitate French exploration and continued through attacks on expeditions, a negotiated trade arrangement, renewed rebellion after 1898, and campaigns against Baule leaders and gold centres. French military operations did not restore peace until François-Joseph Clozel halted them after 1902.
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The Story
French penetration from the coast into Baule territory began through military and commercial expeditions in February and March 1891. Etien Komenan, chief of the Baule of Tiassalé, refused to provide an interpreter for the military mission of Lieutenants Armand and de Tavernost. He also ordered the assassination of Voituret and Papillon before they could reach Tiassalé, making clear that commercial exploration would not proceed without resistance.
A French punitive expedition under Lieutenant Staup was attacked by Etien Komenan’s forces on 11 May 1891 and forced to retreat to the coast. France then turned to diplomacy. A treaty with the Baule of Tiassalé and Niamwé, signed on 29 December 1892, required a tribute of 100 ounces of gold in exchange for free trade with Africans and Europeans on the coast.
In March 1893, Jean-Baptiste Marchand entered Baule country after the treaty but encountered renewed opposition from Etien Komenan on the Bandama route. Marchand occupied Tiassalé on 25 May after Komenan fled, then reached Gbuékékro, later renamed Bouaké, where the chief Kouassi Gbuèké opposed him and was allied with Samori. A later expedition under Monteil met stronger resistance at Ouossou, Ahuakro and Moronou and was ordered back to the coast in February 1895.
Peace lasted in Baule territory from 1895 to 1898. After the French captured Samori, they began building a permanent post at Bouaké without consulting the Baule, freed slaves, and executed Katia Kofi, chief of Katiakofikro, for encouraging anti-French sentiment. These actions provoked a new rebellion on 22 December 1898 against French garrisons.
The rebellion was led by several Baule chiefs, including Kouadio Okou of Lomo, Yao Guié of the N gban, Kasso, Akafou Bulare and Kouamé Die of the Warebo Baule. French campaigns captured Kokumbo in June 1901, killed Kouamé Die in February 1902 and captured Akafou Bulare, who died in custody in July 1902. Baule guerrilla warfare continued until François-Joseph Clozel halted military operations after recognizing the limits of force.
19th century – 20th century
Ivory Coast, West Africa
Baule resistance to French expansion was a series of confrontations, treaties and guerrilla campaigns opposing French penetration into Baule territory in the Ivory Coast. Resistance began with the Tiassalé chief Etien Komenan’s refusal to facilitate French exploration and continued through attacks on expeditions, a negotiated trade arrangement, renewed rebellion after 1898, and campaigns against Baule leaders and gold centres. French military operations did not restore peace until François-Joseph Clozel halted them after 1902.
Continue exploring
The Story
French penetration from the coast into Baule territory began through military and commercial expeditions in February and March 1891. Etien Komenan, chief of the Baule of Tiassalé, refused to provide an interpreter for the military mission of Lieutenants Armand and de Tavernost. He also ordered the assassination of Voituret and Papillon before they could reach Tiassalé, making clear that commercial exploration would not proceed without resistance.
A French punitive expedition under Lieutenant Staup was attacked by Etien Komenan’s forces on 11 May 1891 and forced to retreat to the coast. France then turned to diplomacy. A treaty with the Baule of Tiassalé and Niamwé, signed on 29 December 1892, required a tribute of 100 ounces of gold in exchange for free trade with Africans and Europeans on the coast.
In March 1893, Jean-Baptiste Marchand entered Baule country after the treaty but encountered renewed opposition from Etien Komenan on the Bandama route. Marchand occupied Tiassalé on 25 May after Komenan fled, then reached Gbuékékro, later renamed Bouaké, where the chief Kouassi Gbuèké opposed him and was allied with Samori. A later expedition under Monteil met stronger resistance at Ouossou, Ahuakro and Moronou and was ordered back to the coast in February 1895.
Peace lasted in Baule territory from 1895 to 1898. After the French captured Samori, they began building a permanent post at Bouaké without consulting the Baule, freed slaves, and executed Katia Kofi, chief of Katiakofikro, for encouraging anti-French sentiment. These actions provoked a new rebellion on 22 December 1898 against French garrisons.
The rebellion was led by several Baule chiefs, including Kouadio Okou of Lomo, Yao Guié of the N gban, Kasso, Akafou Bulare and Kouamé Die of the Warebo Baule. French campaigns captured Kokumbo in June 1901, killed Kouamé Die in February 1902 and captured Akafou Bulare, who died in custody in July 1902. Baule guerrilla warfare continued until François-Joseph Clozel halted military operations after recognizing the limits of force.
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