COTE D’IVOIRE
After the political unrest caused by the Ivorian Crisis, Cote d’Ivoire experienced a relatively stable period. However, major changes in election policy leading to President Alassane Ouattara’s controversial third term kickstarted demonstrations and much debate surrounding the future of democracy in the country.
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
Editor’s Note
Throughout the development of this project, I have tried my best to stick to the self-imposed 2012 as my starting date. However, it is impossible to think about Ivorian politics today without acknowledging the events of the 2010-11 Ivorian Crisis. These six months were defining not only for the development of Cote d’Ivoire’s election policy in the 2010s and 2020s but also for the country’s history. Laurent Gbagbo rose to politics as a democratic icon, winning the 2000 election and standing for his right to be Cote d’Ivoire’s head of state, when his opponent tried to contest the results and stage a coup.
But apparently, it takes ten years for a democratic martyr to become a dictator, and when Alassane Ouattara won the 2010 election, Gbagbo showed his true colors, using islamophobia and violence as an attempt to stay in office. However, Ouattara backed by the Ivorian people was able to secure its presidency.
But apparently, it takes ten years for a democratic martyr to become a dicta-, wait I feel that I already said that. In 2020, Alassane Ouattara ran for a third term after modifying the constitution to limit presidents to two terms and stating that he would not run. He was re-elected amidst an opposition boycott and violent protests.
However, after running some errands at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands Laurent is back for “Gbagbo: The Return” premiering in the 2025 presidential ballots.
If the future of 28 million Ivorians wasn’t on the line I would certainly enjoy that movie.
