Ivory Coast Restaurants Empty as Crisis Spurs Violence

Sylvain N’Guessan gazes over the empty seats at Le Phenicia restaurant he manages in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Ivory Coast, wondering how he will pay the bills as worsening violence keeps clients away.

“We’ve had one customer so far today,” N’Guessan said from behind the bar at 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 in the affluent Rue des Jardins. He hasn’t received his December salary or paid last month’s electricity bill, he said.