Ivory Coast: Campaigns close as Ouattara eyes fourth term

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has called on the country’s youth to vote in large numbers in the upcoming presidential election, touting himself as the candidate most committed to their welfare. Voters in the nation of 32 million, one of West Africa’s economic powerhouses, are due to cast their ballot on Saturday, with 83-year-old Ouattara running against four other candidates. President Alassane Ouattara The election is being held amid political tensions after key opposition figures were barred from running, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam. After changing the constitution in 2016 to remove…