Assalaamu Alaikum - Ivory Coast votes as Ouattara’s legacy and age take center stage
Assalaamu Alaikum. ABIDJAN - Ivory Coast is holding a presidential election on Saturday as incumbent Alassane Ouattara, 83, highlights nearly 15 years of economic growth and relative stability while suggesting this may be his final run. A former international banker and deputy MD at the IMF, Ouattara came to power in 2011 after a four-month civil war that left about 3,000 dead, triggered when his predecessor refused to accept the 2010 result. Two prominent figures, Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam (former Credit Suisse CEO), were ruled ineligible to run, and the remaining opposition hopefuls don’t have backing from a major party, leaving Ouattara the clear favorite. When he announced in July, Ouattara called a fourth term a moment for “generational transmission.” He repeated that idea at a lunch this week with journalists and his 73-year-old prime minister and 76-year-old vice president. “We know that the country needs to renew its team,” he said. “It’s not easy to work at the same pace at our age.” Ivory Coast’s median age is just 18. Young Ivorians voice frustration The world’s top cocoa producer is also one of the region’s fastest-growing economies, and its international bonds have ranked among Africa’s best performers. Ouattara has pushed to diversify the economy, focusing on mining and investing in schools and roads to draw private investment. “We have turned Ivory Coast around,” he told supporters at a closing rally in Abidjan on Thursday. “The country has experienced extraordinary growth since 2011. And this growth must continue.” But not everyone is convinced. “We are tired of older people making decisions for us,” said Landry Ka, a 22-year-old student. “We are young and want someone who really understands our problems, someone who will help us find jobs.” Ka said he supports Simone Gbagbo, the former first lady and Ouattara’s highest-profile challenger; she is 76. The youngest candidate is former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon, 60, who didn’t secure the main opposition party’s endorsement. Observers note many young Ivorians distrust the political elite over ongoing unemployment, inequality, and weak representation. Security, arrests, and turnout More than eight million voters are registered for Saturday. Polls open at 0800 GMT and close at 1800 GMT; provisional results are expected within five days, with a runoff if no one clears 50 percent. While past elections in Ivory Coast have seen violence, this campaign has been mostly calm, though there were protests in places including Yamoussoukro. The government has deployed some 44,000 security personnel and, according to rights groups, imposed heavy limits on demonstrations. Hundreds have been arrested; the interior ministry says dozens received sentences up to three years for disturbing public order. Government spokesperson Patrick Achi, a former prime minister, told reporters the state protects freedom of speech but must keep order. “Let’s preserve stability, and the next generation will build on it. At least the economy that has suffered so much won’t be destroyed again,” he said.
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