The decision of Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara to run for a fourth term risks a return to a past era of “old guard dictator rule” in a region where democracy is increasingly being challenged, warned Ibrahim Anoba, an Africa affairs analyst at the Atlas Network.
While Ouattara, 83, said his decision to run was informed by the “unprecedented security, economic and monetary challenges” the country faces, his announcement comes after the disqualification of most of his prominent rivals, including former Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam. Analysts say a weakened opposition and the constitutional change that kept Ouattara in power could lead the country to an era of one-man rule. Opposition protests against Ouattara have been blocked, and several protesters have been arrested and accused of disturbing public order.
Periodic elections have been used by others to maintain democratic credentials, but analysts say the trend of constitutional changes and attacks on opposition have been no different from the military powers that have extended their stay in power. “We might be sliding back to that era of old men, old guard dictator rule in West Africa because (of) the attitude of the military and equally the civilian rulers,” said Anoba. “And the announcement by Ouattara is a reflection of that reality.”
Read more here.
