Ivory Coast’s Elections Reflect Growing Economic and Political Stability

In an widely expected outcome, incumbent President Alassane Ouatarra easily won reelection last week in Ivory Coast. The big surprise, however, was that voting took place with little to no violence, making it the first peaceful Ivorian election in more than two decades. Just five years ago, incumbent president Gbagbo refused to step down after losing to Ouatarra, resulting in violence that left over 3,000 dead. Since then, Ouatarra has embarked on an ambitious political and economic reform agenda to grow the country’s economy.

Ouatarra captured a decisive 84 percent of the vote on October 28. His achievements, along with a divided opposition, enabled him to cruise to re-election. The results are a positive indicator of Ivory Coast’s prospects, as the country’s democratic institutions have strengthened and its economy is showing resilience in the face of sliding commodity prices.

The major accomplishment of Ouatarra’s administration has been the economy: Even as the West African nation’s neighbors have stumbled, Ivory Coast is expected to post 9.6 percent GDP growth this year. The Ivorian economy has traditionally been focused on the export of cocoa; however, under Ouatarra, the agriculture sector has diversified to include the production of cashews, bananas, rubber, and palm oil.

The government’s new business policies include value added tax exemption, reduced customs duties, and promises of compensation in the event of social turmoil. As a result, dozens of firms have poured in investment, especially in the consumer and retail sectors. Multinational firms are also leaping at the opportunity to tap into the country’s market of 24 million people.

Ouatarra has also overseen the rapid redevelopment of the country’s infrastructure, which had been badly damaged during the 2010 conflict. During his term, over 600 miles of new roads have been paved, and Abidjan’s airport has been modernized.

A major driver of new investment has been a resurgence of political confidence under the new government. A daunting task faced by Ouatarra upon ascending to the presidency was healing a country reeling from violence and ethnic divisions. The Truth and Reconciliation Commision (CDVG) was created in 2011 to address the human rights violations that had occurred during the civil conflict. Not without its logistical problems and accusations of bias, the establishment of the CDVG was a core aspect of the Ivory Coast’s recovery process.

Ouatarra also faced a much more divided opposition than in the last election cycle: Pascal Affi N’Guessan, the candidate of Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party, polled at just 9 percent. Many members of his own party gave up support for N’Guessan, accusing him of abandoning Gbagbo’s cause. The other eight candidates all ran as independents or for lesser-known parties.

Despite this election’s remarkable success, the country is still far from bridging its deep-seated divisions. After Gbagbo’s arrest, the FPI boycotted the 2011 parliamentary elections, demanding that he be released. Earlier this year, they banded together with other dissident groups to form the National Coalition for Change (CNC) and threatened to destabilize last week’s elections.

Although economic growth has improved, the majority of Ivorians, many of whom live in rural areas outside Abidjan, have yet to feel its impact. Although the progress thus far has been promising, Ouatarra’s daunting goal of truth and reconciliation still remains the same as before the election.

Just five years ago, incumbent president Gbagbo refused to step down after losing to Ouatarra, resulting in violence that left over 3,000 dead. Since then, Ouatarra has embarked on an ambitious political and economic reform agenda to grow the country’s economy.

Ouatarra captured a decisive 84 percent of the vote on October 28. His achievements, along with a divided opposition, enabled him to cruise to re-election. The results are a positive indicator of Ivory Coast’s prospects, as the country’s democratic institutions have strengthened and its economy is showing resilience in the face of sliding commodity prices.

The major accomplishment of Ouatarra’s administration has been the economy: Even as the West African nation’s neighbors have stumbled, Ivory Coast is expected to post 9.6 percent GDP growth this year. The Ivorian economy has traditionally been focused on the export of cocoa; however, under Ouatarra, the agriculture sector has diversified to include the production of cashews, bananas, rubber, and palm oil.

The government’s new business policies include value added tax exemption, reduced customs duties, and promises of compensation in the event of social turmoil. As a result, dozens of firms have poured in investment, especially in the consumer and retail sectors. Multinational firms are also leaping at the opportunity to tap into the country’s market of 24 million people.

Ouatarra has also overseen the rapid redevelopment of the country’s infrastructure, which had been badly damaged during the 2010 conflict. During his term, over 600 miles of new roads have been paved, and Abidjan’s airport has been modernized.

A major driver of new investment has been a resurgence of political confidence under the new government. A daunting task faced by Ouatarra upon ascending to the presidency was healing a country reeling from violence and ethnic divisions. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CDVG) was created in 2011 to address the human rights violations that had occurred during the civil conflict. Not without its logistical problems and accusations of bias, the establishment of the CDVG was a core aspect of the Ivory Coast’s recovery process.

Ouatarra also faced a much more divided opposition than in the last election cycle: Pascal Affi N’Guessan, the candidate of Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party, polled at just 9 percent. Many members of his own party gave up support for N’Guessan, accusing him of abandoning Gbagbo’s cause. The other eight candidates all ran as independents or for lesser-known parties.

Despite this election’s remarkable success, the country is still far from bridging its deep-seated divisions. After Gbagbo’s arrest, the FPI boycotted the 2011 parliamentary elections, demanding that he be released. Earlier this year, they banded together with other dissident groups to form the National Coalition for Change (CNC) and threatened to destabilize last week’s elections.

Although economic growth has improved, the majority of Ivorians, many of whom live in rural areas outside Abidjan, have yet to feel its impact. Although the progress thus far has been promising, Ouatarra’s daunting goal of truth and reconciliation still remains the same as before the election.