Leading Ivorian political scene

A US-trained economist who appears to be an almost immovable cornerstone of Ivory Coast's political life, President Alassane Ouattara is the favourite to win a fourth term in Saturday's presidential election.

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For his admirers, he spells stability and is their natural leader.

His detractors accuse him of ruling the country with an iron fist and of choosing his electoral opponents, stressing that courts have barred the main opposition leaders from standing in this week's vote.

“Africa has very few leaders like Ouattara. He has experience, serenity and knowledge of the world.

“He is an essential interlocutor in the region,’ a close associate said.

But for the opposition, the man who has been head of state since 2011 is another African leader who has taken the path of authoritarianism.

Ouattara announced in July he was seeking reelection “out of duty”.

He assured voters that, now aged 83, he was healthy enough for another term and held campaign rallies across the country, where his party governs an overwhelming majority of cities and regions.