(Ecofin Agency) - Partial results from phase I of Côte d'Ivoire’s national operation aiming at identifying and locating religious associations, cult places and religious buildings, revealed that Abidjan alone hosts 5890 cultural entities and religious buildings of all faiths, as of 02 May 2018.

Officially launched last October 25 by the Ivorian home affairs Ministry’s Directorate General of Religions, this census operation was entrusted to the technical operator Comafrique Technologies.

Authorities said that the goal is to better manage the religious landscape, while acquiring the sector’s adequate control and sanitation means. This will then result in a national religion policy to effectively combat all new types of terrorist threats.

The operation also planned to identify religious leaders, review the legal recognition and registration procedure of religious associations, and regulate the creation of cult places as well as the construction of religious buildings.

The project is broken in two phases, the first in Abidjan district covering its ten communes, along with the sub-prefectures of Anyama, Bingerville, Brofodoumé and Songon. This phase is set to end next May 21 and the second will cover the rest of the country.