Ivory Coast Presidential Election Campaign Concludes Amid Tensions

Strategic Insights -

Candidates in Ivory Coast's presidential election concluded their campaigns on Thursday, with incumbent President Alassane Ouattara seeking a fourth term. The country of 30 million people will go to the polls on Saturday, with 8.7 million registered voters. The campaign has been marked by tensions, with four weakened opposition parties challenging Ouattara, who is running under the ruling party, Rassemblement des Houphouetistes pour la Paix. Thousands of Ouattara supporters converged in central Abidjan after an earlier street party, while other candidates, including former first lady Simone Gbagbo and former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon, held their final rallies in the eastern and central regions.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Alassane Ouattara is seeking a fourth term in the presidential election, which is set to be held on Saturday.
  • The ruling party, Rassemblement des Houphouetistes pour la Paix, is backing Ouattara's candidacy with the slogan "For a Great Nation".
  • 8.7 million people have registered to vote in the election, with four weakened opposition parties challenging Ouattara.
  • Analysts say the opposition candidates do not stand a chance, citing the disqualification of former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam and former president Laurent Gbagbo.
  • The exclusion of candidates from the poll has sparked nationwide protests, resulting in hundreds of arrests and dozens of imprisonments.
  • Elections in Ivory Coast have a history of violence, and tensions are running high ahead of Saturday's vote.
  • President Ouattara's supporters are confident of his victory in the first round, with one supporter dismissing the opposition as "opponents just for the sake of opposition".

Statistics:

  • 30 million people reside in Ivory Coast, a West African nation.
  • 8.7 million people are registered to vote in the presidential election.
  • Ivory Coast has a history of election-related violence.
  • Hundreds of arrests and dozens of imprisonments have resulted from nationwide protests sparked by the exclusion of candidates from the poll.

Sources:

  • "Ivory Coast: Incumbent President Ouattara Seeks Re-election Amid Tensions" - New Delhi Times