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Elections

Ivory Coast Election: Ouattara Seeks Fourth Term Despite Allegations of Opposition Clampdown

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Citizens of Ivory Coast cast their ballots on Saturday to elect a new leader, with longtime President Alassane Ouattara seeking a fourth term. The election has been marred by protests and allegations of opposition clampdown, with several hundred people arrested and concerns over the credibility of the vote. Despite these challenges, Ouattara, 83, remains a strong favorite to retain his seat, with his party holding a majority of seats in parliament and overseeing the country's economic reconstruction since the civil war.

Key Takeaways:

  • The election is the latest example of aging men continuing to hold power in Africa, with Ouattara, 83, seeking a fourth term alongside Cameroon's Paul Biya, 92, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni, 81, and Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Mbasogo, 83.
  • Ouattara's party, the Rally of Houphouetistes for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), holds a majority of seats in parliament and has overseen the country's economic reconstruction since the civil war, achieving an annual growth rate of 6% backed by a boom in cocoa.
  • Despite this growth, however, 37.5% of the country's 30 million people still live in poverty, and jobs are scarce for young people, with opposition supporters accusing the Independent Electoral Commission of working in favor of the ruling party.
  • The election took place in a "calm and peaceful atmosphere," according to Yemi Osinbajo, head of the joint ECOWAS-African Union election observer mission, but allegations of opposition clampdown and disqualification of key candidates have raised concerns over the credibility of the vote.
  • Ouattara has denied allegations of a crackdown on the opposition, and the international community has been largely supportive, with France, the country's former colonial ruler, giving him "less scrutiny," according to Severin Yao Kouame, a research professor at the University of Bouake.

Statistics:

  • Voter turnout was estimated at 50% by the Independent Electoral Commission, but residents and Associated Press reporters reported lower turnout in many ballot stations in the main city of Abidjan.
  • 8.7 million people registered to vote, with slightly above 50% turnout in the country's last two elections.
  • The election took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere, according to Yemi Osinbajo, head of the joint ECOWAS-African Union election observer mission.
  • 37.5% of the country's 30 million people still live in poverty.
  • Jobs are scarce for young people, with 40% of the population under the age of 24.

Sources:

  • New Delhi Times
  • Associated Press
  • Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly, head of the electoral commission
  • Yemi Osinbajo, head of the joint ECOWAS-African Union election observer mission
  • Severin Yao Kouame, research professor at the University of Bouake
  • Pulcherie Gbalet, civil society leader

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