National Peace Day in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire marks National Peace Day on 15 November. The date is a nationwide public holiday under the 1996 decree on public holidays, and the government describes it as a reminder to make peace part of daily life.[1][2]
A public holiday set by law
The 1996 decree lists 15 November as National Peace Day among the country’s civil and religious holidays. Its rules generally require work to stop in agricultural, industrial and commercial establishments on public holidays, while allowing services that cannot interrupt their activity to continue. Workers in those services are covered by special pay provisions.[1]
The decree provides a substitute Monday when National Day or Labour Day falls on a Sunday. It does not extend that rule to National Peace Day, so the legal text does not establish a replacement day for 15 November.[1]
A day for peace and social cohesion
The Ivorian government says it established the day in 1996 to encourage a lasting culture of peace among citizens and people living in the country. Its stated purpose is to connect peace with everyday actions, plans and ambitions. Official messages have linked the observance with social cohesion, national unity, dialogue and learning from the country’s recent history.[2]
The official framing is specific to Côte d’Ivoire: this is a national observance created by decree and used to encourage peaceful relations across differences in opinion, origin and belief. Government statements have also presented it as an occasion to discuss reconciliation and peacebuilding.[2][3]
Ceremonies and activities can vary
National Peace Day does not have one fixed public programme. Official ceremonies have been held in different places: the government reported a 2022 ceremony in Duékoué, in the Guémon region, and the Ministry of Culture reported a 2025 ceremony at Abidjan’s Palais de la Culture Bernard Binlin Dadié.[3][4]
Activities reported around the observance have included a scientific forum, prayers for peace, a blood donation drive and a peace march. At the 2025 ceremony, young peace volunteers were honored for work supporting social cohesion and conflict prevention. These are examples from particular editions, rather than activities guaranteed every year or in every region.[3][4]
What to expect on the day
The decree’s work-stoppage rule applies across agricultural, industrial and commercial establishments, subject to its exception for services that cannot stop operating.[1] Check public-transport schedules and food options directly with individual services and businesses.
National Peace Day: questions and answers
When is National Peace Day in Côte d’Ivoire?
Is it a public day off?
Yes. The decree classifies it as a public holiday and generally requires work to stop in covered establishments. Services that cannot interrupt their activity are excepted and have separate pay rules.[1]
Is a Monday substitute day provided if 15 November falls on Sunday?
The decree gives a substitute Monday only when National Day or Labour Day falls on Sunday. It does not list National Peace Day for that rule.[1]
Are banks and shops closed?
The decree covers commercial establishments, but allows services that cannot stop operating to continue. It does not specify the opening hours of individual banks or shops, so check locally.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for National Peace Day in Côte d’Ivoire:
- DECRET N° 96-205 DU 7 MARS 1996 DETERMINANT LA LISTE ET LE REGIME DES JOURS FERIES- International Labour Organization, NATLEX
- DECLARATION DU GOUVERNEMENT RELATIVE A LA JOURNEE NATIONALE DE LA PAIX (JNPAIX 2023)- Ministry of National Cohesion, Solidarity and the Fight Against Poverty, Côte d’Ivoire
- JOURNEE NATIONALE DE LA PAIX : LE PREMIER MINISTRE PATRICK ACHI PRESIDE LA 26E EDITION A DUEKOUE- Government of Côte d’Ivoire
- Cérémonie officielle marquant la Journée Nationale de la Paix- Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, Côte d’Ivoire
- Jours fériés- Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in Türkiye