Ivory Coast Votes Amid Opposition Ban as Ouattara Seeks Fourth Term

Ivory Coast held a presidential election with incumbent Alassane Ouattara seeking a controversial fourth term amidst the exclusion of major opposition figures, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse executive Tidjane Thiam. Ouattara, who has led the nation since 2011 and presided over significant economic growth driven by cocoa exports, faces four other candidates who lack the extensive resources and political reach of his ruling party, the Rally of Houphouetistes for Democracy and Peace (RHDP). The election campaign was marked by Ouattara's omnipresent campaign imagery and the opposition's limited visibility, reflecting a political environment heavily influenced by financial power. Voter turnout in past elections hovered just above 50%, and concerns regarding the election's credibility persist due to the opposition's exclusion and limited international scrutiny. Despite economic progress, challenges such as poverty and youth unemployment remain significant issues in the country. The election raised fears of potential instability reminiscent of previous electoral crises, but Ouattara maintains strong control over the political landscape ahead of the vote.