Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth term in office with a landslide 89.77% of the vote, according to provisional election results.
His victory, widely anticipated following the exclusion of his strongest challengers, came amid controversy and widespread criticism.
Voter turnout stood at around 50%, while observers said the election “could not be considered genuinely competitive,” citing an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
The government deployed 44,000 security personnel to oversee the polls. Hundreds were arrested, and dozens sentenced to up to three years in prison for public disorder offenses.
Ouattara’s previous term was marked by relative stability and economic growth following the 2011 crisis that plunged the country into a brief civil war.
