Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has urged young people to turn out in large numbers for next week’s presidential election, portraying himself as their best hope for a prosperous future.
Speaking before thousands at a campaign rally in Abidjan on Saturday, the 83-year-old leader promised jobs, education, and independence for the nation’s youth, saying his government has “always been committed to offering the best” for them.
The election, set for October 25, comes amid political tension after several prominent opposition figures, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex–Credit Suisse chief Tidjane Thiam, were barred from running. Their exclusion has fuelled accusations that the vote is being engineered to ensure Ouattara’s victory.
Ouattara, seeking a fourth term after changing the constitution in 2016 to remove term limits, is widely expected to dominate a field of five candidates. Analysts say his control of state institutions and divided opposition give him a clear advantage.
Opposition parties accuse his administration of stifling dissent and manipulating electoral rules. Dozens of protests against the bans have been dispersed, and hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested, some already sentenced to jail.
At Saturday’s rally, ruling party officials praised Ouattara’s leadership and record on youth development. “He has done a lot for young people, and we want him to continue,” said Florine-Auxane Loukou Bledja, a youth leader in the president’s party.
As Ivory Coast, one of West Africa’s economic powerhouses, heads toward a crucial vote, the country stands at a crossroads between continuity and change — and its restless youth may yet decide which path it takes.
