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In Abidjan, slam poet Placide Konan voices anger at hardship as Ivory Coast heads to Saturday’s vote, where 83-year-old President Alassane Ouattara seeks a fourth term and is seen as likely to win after key rivals were barred, including Tidjane Thiam. Protests over the candidate list have brought arrests, limits on gatherings and at least three deaths, while more than 40,000 security personnel are deployed for about 8.7 million voters. Ouattara touts stability and opportunities for youth amid 6% growth in 2024, yet inequality, 37.5% poverty and fragile northern security persist, analysts warn.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.