IVORY COAST’S OUATTARA SEEKS FOURTH TERM ON ECONOMIC RECORD.

Ivory Coast’s longtime leader, ALASSANE OUATTARA, is vying for a fourth term in Saturday’s presidential election, vowing to build on nearly a decade and a half of consistent growth while critics denounce what they describe as a intensive bid by his government to stamp out opposition.

OUATTARA faces three main challengers: two ex-government ministers and the former wife and spokesperson of his predecessor, LAURENT GBAGBO.

OUATTARA assumed power in 2010 following a four-month civil war sparked by GBAGBO’s refusal to concede defeat in the presidential election.

Since then, OUATTARA has been credited with overseeing consistent economic growth in Ivory Coast; however, his critics argue that his government has increasingly marginalized opposition figures.