Ivory Coast Holds Presidential Election Amid Protests and Uncertainty

Strategic Insights -

Polls have opened in the Ivory Coast for a new leader, with five candidates contesting the election, including the incumbent President Alassane Ouattara seeking to extend his rule to almost two decades. The run-up to the election has been marred by protests against bans imposed on rivals to President Ouattara, including former Credit Suisse executive Tidjane Thiam and Ouattara's predecessor Laurent Gbagbo. The election is expected to be a contest between Ouattara and the four other candidates, with provisional results expected within five days.

Key Takeaways:

  • The election is the first time President Ouattara, a former international banker and deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, is seeking a new term, despite claiming it will be his last campaign.
  • Ouattara's party, the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), has been in power for nearly 15 years, with the president claiming credit for economic growth and relative stability.
  • Several protests have been held by supporters of banned candidates, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of people and raising fears of election violence similar to those in 2010, 2011, and 2020.
  • The government has imposed restrictions on gatherings and deployed 40,000 security personnel to maintain order.
  • The four candidates challenging Ouattara include Simone Gbagbo, Jean-Louis Billon, Ahoua Don Mello, and Henriette Lagou Adjoua, all of whom have promised to create new jobs and establish new agricultural policies.
  • Ivory Coast is facing issues of poverty, unemployment, and regional instability, with 37.5% of the population living in poverty and a significant portion of young people facing employment difficulties.

Statistics:

  • Over 8 million people are eligible to vote, from a population of 32 million.
  • Polling stations will close at 6 p.m. local time (1800 GMT).
  • A runoff will be held if no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote.
  • Hundreds of people have been arrested during protests.
  • More than 3,000 people have died in election-related violence in 2010, 2011, and 2020.
  • 37.5% of the population lives in poverty.
  • 40,000 security personnel have been deployed across the country.

Sources:

  • Anonymous article on Ivory Coast election, published in relation to an edited article by Jenipher Camino Gonzalez.