By Robbie Corey-Boulet
ABIDJAN (Reuters) -Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is seeking a fourth term on Saturday, vowing to build on nearly a decade and a half of consistent growth while critics denounce what they describe as a concerted bid by his government to stamp out dissent.
The election in the world’s biggest cocoa producer pits Ouattara, 83, against two former government ministers as well as the ex-wife and former spokesperson for his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo. Ouattara is the only candidate with the backing of a strong political party, making him the clear favourite.
Two more prominent challengers, Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, were barred from running. Thiam has said the race was shaping up to be a
Ivory Coast’s Ouattara Seeks Fourth Term on Economic Record, Critics Decry ‘Coronation’
