Ivory Coast's Ouattara seeks fourth term on economic record, critics decry 'coronation'

Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term, waves as he arrives at a campaign rally of the young people of RHDP (Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace), ahead of Ivory Coast presidential election scheduled for October 25, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, October 18, 2025. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

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.