Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara was sworn in on Monday for a fourth term after winning 89% of the vote in an October election marked by low turnout and unrest.
“This vote is a choice for stability, peace, and development,” Ouattara said, following an election from which key opposition figures were excluded.
Violence surrounding the vote left at least 11 people dead, and over 1,650 were arrested, according to official figures.
Jacob Helberg, U.S. assistant secretary of state for economic affairs, said a day before the inauguration, “We are not in the business of telling people how to run their country… Ultimately, we think the Ivory Coast is a politically stable place that is growing quickly.”
Eleven African presidents attended Monday’s ceremony in the West African nation.
Ouattara first came to power after a disputed 2010 election against Laurent Gbagbo. He later oversaw a 2016 constitutional referendum, and in 2020 claimed the amended constitution reset his term count — a move rejected by his opponents.
Supporters credit Ouattara with restoring the economy in the world’s largest cocoa producer, while critics accuse him of consolidating his hold on power.
