President Alassane Ouattara was inaugurated Monday for his fourth five-year term as Ivory Coast’s leader, following an October election marked by low voter turnout and a government crackdown on opposition protests. The ceremony in Abidjan was attended by several West African leaders, including the presidents of Mauritania, Liberia, Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, and Gabon. After taking the oath, Ouattara highlighted the country’s progress since he first assumed power in 2010.
“On October 25, Ivorians expressed their sovereign choice. They reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, stability, and peace, for which so much effort has been made since 2011,” Ouattara said. He also noted ongoing regional security concerns, citing evolving terrorist threats in the sub-region. Ouattara, 83, first came to power after a disputed election against Laurent Gbagbo in 2010, which triggered violent unrest leaving over 3,000 dead before Ouattara assumed office with U.N. and French support. Since then, he has overseen an economic revival, including a cocoa-fueled growth averaging 6% annually, though critics accuse him of consolidating power.
In the run-up to the October vote, major opposition figures including former president Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam—were barred from running. Authorities banned protests, and security forces tear-gassed demonstrators and arrested hundreds. Ouattara argues that a 2016 constitutional referendum reset his presidential terms, allowing him to run for a fourth term despite the two-term limit. His tenure has included disputes with junta-led governments in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, with Ouattara’s support for France criticized as worsening regional security. Despite the controversy, Ouattara maintains significant support at home for bringing stability and economic growth to a nation long plagued by civil conflict.
