Polls opened across Ivory Coast on Saturday for a presidential election that sees incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeking a controversial fourth term, a move that could extend his rule to nearly two decades.
The election is being closely watched, as the nation confronts a mix of economic progress and political unrest. President Ouattara, who first took office in 2011, has presided over a period of significant economic reconstruction. His government has overseen an annual growth rate of approximately 6%, fueled largely by a boom in cocoa, the country’s primary export. Major investments in the public sector and infrastructure have solidified his support among many voters.
Despite this economic growth, the nation continues to face profound challenges. More than a third of the population lives in poverty, and job scarcity remains a critical issue for young Ivorians.
The political landscape for this election has been marked by controversy. President Ouattara faces four challengers, including former First Lady Simone Gbagbo. However, the field was narrowed by the disqualification of two major opposition figures, Henri Konan Bédié and Laurent Gbagbo. Authorities have also banned protests by their supporters in the lead-up to the vote.
This political tension has stirred fears of a return to the electoral violence that has marred the country’s past. The 2010-2011 post-election crisis left at least 3,000 people dead, and nearly 100 were killed during violence surrounding the 2020 election. In recent days, hundreds of people have been detained as unrest grows.
With 8.7 million people registered to vote, the nation now waits to see if the polling will conclude peacefully. Vote counting is expected to begin immediately after the polls close.
