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Dissent

Ivory Coast Heads to the Polls as Alassane Ouattara Seeks Fourth Term

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Alassane Ouattara, the incumbent president of Ivory Coast, is set to face a competitive presidential election on Saturday as he seeks a fourth term in office. Despite accusations of intolerance towards dissent and criticism of his economic policies, Ouattara remains the favourite to win, according to bookmakers and analysts. His opponents, including Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and Henriette Lagou Adjoua, have accused him of eroding democratic institutions and failing to provide equitable growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 8.7 million people are eligible to vote in the presidential election, with four candidates challenging incumbent Alassane Ouattara, including Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, Henriette Lagou Adjoua, Ahoua Don Mello, and Jean-Louis Billon.
  • Ouattara has overseen constitutional reforms that allowed him to sidestep a two-term limit, a move that has been criticized by his opponents.
  • The campaign has focused on key issues such as the cost of living, youth unemployment, rural-urban inequality, and governance reforms, with Ouattara touting an average annual economic growth of 7% and multiple infrastructure projects as his record in three consecutive terms.
  • Critics argue that the development is not trickling down to the people and that the country is far from united.
  • The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) is facing scrutiny over transparency and credibility, after the disqualification of Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo.
  • Analysts predict that the electoral outcome could influence the country's political stability in a region where there has been democratic backsliding in recent years.

Statistics:

  • 8.7 million people are eligible to vote in the presidential election.
  • 250 people have been arrested for protesting against Ouattara's fourth term and the barring of opposition candidates.
  • 32 protesters have been given three-year sentences, with another 105 due to stand trial soon.
  • Ivory Coast has an average annual economic growth of 7% according to Ouattara's campaign.

Sources:

  • Alassane Ouattara is seeking a fourth presidential term as Ivory Coast goes to the polls on Saturday. (The Guardian)
  • Three-year sentences have been handed out to 32 of the protesters, with another 105 due to stand trial soon. (Amnesty International)
  • Since 2020, there have been nine successful coups and at least seven failed attempts in west and central Africa. (Centre for Research and Action for Peace)
  • In the past decade, no election in Ivory Coast has been without violence in a country that has never had a peaceful transition of power between elected presidents. (Amnesty International)
  • Over 50 people were killed in the 2020 election, including Toussaint N'Guessan Koffi, a 34-year-old farmer who was beheaded during communal clashes in the opposition stronghold of Daoukro. (Amnesty International)
  • More than 250 people have been arrested for protesting against Ouattara's fourth term and the barring of opposition candidates. (Amnesty International)

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