President of the Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, was on Monday sworn in for a fourth term in office, following an election boycotted by his two main rivals and marked by low voter turnout.
ThemomentNG reports that the 83-year-old leader, who has been at the helm of the West African nation since 2010, took the oath of office at a ceremony attended by 11 African leaders and international dignitaries.
In his brief address, Ouattara promised to remain faithful to the nation’s laws. “I vow to loyally defend the constitution,” he declared, moments after taking the oath of office.
The inauguration, held in the capital Yamoussoukro, came nearly six weeks after the October 25 presidential election, in which Ouattara secured a landslide 90% of the vote, albeit with a turnout of just 50.1%, raising questions about public enthusiasm and legitimacy.
Critics have pointed to the exclusion of Ouattara’s two most prominent challengers, former president Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse boss Tidjane Thiam, as a major flaw in the electoral process.
Gbagbo was disqualified due to a past criminal conviction, while Thiam was reportedly barred over nationality issues. Neither was present at the inauguration.
Their absence has deepened political tensions in the country, where contested elections have historically sparked unrest.
Despite the controversy, the ceremony drew notable international attention. Among those in attendance were former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and representatives from 11 African nations.
France, the country’s former colonial power and close ally, was represented by National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet. The United States dispatched Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, who was scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Ouattara later in the day.
ThemomentNG reports that Ouattara first came to power after a disputed 2010 election that triggered civil conflict and left thousands dead. He has since maintained a firm grip on the presidency, winning reelection in 2015 and extending his stay through constitutional amendments and court rulings.
His latest term, the fourth, has sparked criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures who argue that it undermines democratic norms in the region.
The inauguration comes at a time when several West African nations are grappling with questions of democratic backsliding, military takeovers, and electoral manipulation.
Observers say Ouattara’s re-election, especially under contentious circumstances, underscores the fragility of democratic institutions in the region.
