Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has been reelected for a fourth term, according to provisional results announced on Monday. The 83-year-old leader, who first assumed office in 2011, secured an overwhelming 89.7% of the vote in an election marked by low voter turnout and subdued activity in the economic hub of Abidjan. Jean-Louis Billon, a former commerce minister, trailed far behind with 3% of the vote, while Simone Gbagbo, a former first lady, garnered 2.4%. Final results are expected by early November, though they may be announced sooner. Approximately 8.5 million people were registered to vote, with turnout hovering around 50%. Billon had already congratulated Ouattara on Sunday evening based on early results. Ouattara’s initial rise to power in 2010 followed a contentious election against his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, which sparked deadly unrest claiming at least 3,000 lives. Backed by U.N. and French forces, Ouattara eventually took control. Since then, his supporters have lauded him for revitalizing the conflict-ravaged economy of the world’s largest cocoa producer, while critics accuse him of consolidating power. The 2023 election saw a weakened opposition, as major candidates like Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo were excluded from the race. Analysts, including Mucahid Durmaz of Verisk Maplecroft, attribute Ouattara’s victory to his dominance over state institutions and his pivotal role in post-civil war reconstruction. Ouattara’s reelection has reignited debates about constitutional manipulation and democratic erosion in West Africa. His tenure has been marked by economic growth, with a 6% annual rate driven by cocoa exports, yet 37.5% of the population remains in poverty, and youth unemployment persists. Additionally, Ouattara has faced tensions with Sahelian nations like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso over his alleged support for France, which regional juntas blame for worsening security.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara reelected to fourth term, early results show
