Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara, 83, was sworn in on Monday for a fourth term in office, following an election in which his two main rivals were barred from contesting.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ouattara secured reelection with nearly 90 percent of the vote in the October 25 poll, although voter turnout stood at just 50.1 percent. Taking the oath of office, the longtime leader pledged to “loyally defend the constitution.”
The ceremony drew leaders from 11 African countries, alongside several former heads of state including Niger’s Mahamadou Issoufou.
France, Ivory Coast’s former colonial power and a close ally, was represented by National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet. The United States sent Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, who was scheduled to meet Ouattara later in the day.
Ouattara’s two strongest political opponents — Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam — were excluded from the presidential race, Gbagbo due to a criminal conviction and Thiam over nationality concerns. Neither attended the inauguration.
Ouattara has governed Ivory Coast since emerging victorious from the country’s violently disputed 2010 election.
