By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
As Ivory Coast heads toward its October 25 presidential election, both incumbent President Alassane Ouattara and opposition candidate Jean-Louis Billon have turned their focus to the country’s youth, promising a message of hope, opportunity, and renewal.
Heritage Times HT reports that at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Saturday, the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) gathered thousands of young people from across the country to show support for Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term.
RHDP supporter Edmond Gbogbo said he chose to follow Ouattara because he is a “father” who keeps his promises. “Seeing everything he has done in this country, no one has done that before. They all came with promises they did not keep. The people need a leader who works,” he said.
In a vibrant atmosphere filled with songs, dances, and slogans, Ouattara’s message focused on peace, stability, and progress. Member of Parliament for Bouaflé, Siaka Kone, said he was proud to have travelled with 10,000 young people to the rally, declaring that “the big day is just a few days away, and together we will continue this great celebration with the entire Ivorian population so that we can continue the development that has been ongoing for 15 years, and we will spend another 5 years developing the country”.
During his address, the 83-year-old leader reiterated his commitment to working harder for the wellbeing of the Ivorian youth, assuring them of continued development and opportunity.
In another part of Abidjan, Jean-Louis Billon, the candidate of the Democratic Congress (CODE) coalition, also spoke to young voters, delivering a similar message of hope during a rally in the working-class neighbourhood of Abobo.
Billon’s campaign, centred on economic recovery, social justice, and youth employment, resonated deeply with supporters who described him as a leader of renewal. Supporter Eric Okoi said there were three main arguments for voting for Billon, the first being that he is a young candidate, “the candidate of renewal.”
“The second is that he has a social policy that can reach young people, women, and the entire Ivorian population,” said Okoi.
Fabyra Koffi, another supporter, said she was drawn to Billon’s emphasis on women as pillars of development. “That is what motivated and encouraged me to support him, accompany him, and work in his team. So, I urge everyone to choose this candidate because he has the right CV for our generation,” she said.
Billon’s team said the Abobo rally showed his understanding of life at the grassroots level and his determination to place the issue of purchasing power at the centre of the election debate.
As the election draws closer, both men are seeking to convince the country’s large youth population that they hold the key to Ivory Coast’s future, one through continuity, and the other through change, but both promising a future built on hope.
