Placide Konan, a 33-year-old slam poet in Abidjan, has turned his art into a form of resistance, voicing discontent over President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term in Ivory Coast’s upcoming election.
Speaking with The Associated Press, Konan expressed frustration with what he sees as deepening hardship in a country praised for its economic strength yet plagued by inequality. Ivory Coast remains West Africa’s top cocoa producer and one of its biggest economies, but more than a third of its citizens live in poverty, and the majority are under 35.
“People can no longer make ends meet,” Konan said. “You have to be very lucky, or a bit of a magician, to be able to live comfortably.”
Despite the country’s modern image and its recent role hosting the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, many Ivorians say prosperity feels out of reach.
President Ouattara, now 83, is widely expected to win again, extending a presidency that began in 2011. His main challengers, former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon and ex–first lady Simone Gbagbo, face an uphill battle after several prominent opposition figures, including former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, were disqualified from the race. A local court ruled Thiam ineligible due to dual nationality, a claim he dismissed as political manipulation before renouncing his French citizenship in March.
The disqualification of key opposition candidates triggered unrest and arrests across the country. Security forces have detained hundreds of demonstrators, with some already sentenced to prison. Authorities have banned large gatherings and deployed over 40,000 security personnel ahead of the vote, which has already seen at least three deaths linked to protests.
Analysts warn that the tensions risk destabilizing Ivory Coast at a time when the wider West African region faces growing insecurity. “The recent events undermine stability at a time when (Ivory Coast), like other countries in West Africa, faces big challenges,” said Paul Melly, a consulting fellow at Chatham House.
Ouattara rose to power after a violent 2010–2011 election crisis that left about 3,000 people dead. Despite mounting criticism over his age and extended tenure, he has defended his decision to run again, citing what he calls “unprecedented security, economic and monetary” challenges.
In a message directed at the country’s younger generation, Ouattara told supporters last week: “I have always been committed to offering the best to our youth so that you can start businesses, work, learn and be independent.”
His supporters credit him with overseeing steady economic growth, large-scale infrastructure projects, and improved public services. The World Bank reported a 6% economic growth rate in 2024, buoyed by rising investments and foreign partnerships.
“If you left Côte d’Ivoire to live abroad for a few years and came back today, you would not recognize your neighborhood,” said Assita Karamoko, a hairdresser in Abidjan who backs Ouattara.
Major transport upgrades, including the expansion of Abidjan’s commuter rail line, and newly paved rural roads have reshaped parts of the nation. Yet, analysts caution that economic progress has not translated into enough jobs for the country’s youthful population. “In terms of youth employment and business opportunity, there is still a long way to go,” Melly added.
Security concerns also loom large. With Mali and Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast’s northern neighbors, facing inflaming insurgencies, the government has ramped up border security. Though considered one of the region’s more capable militaries, analysts warn that the threat of spillover remains real.
“The security conditions are fragile and exposed in the north of the country,” Melly said. “That is not the fault of the Ivorian government, (but) that is the reality of the regional situation.”
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