ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Placide Konan has been using his slam poetry shows to speak out against Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term in Saturday’s election.

The 33-year-old in the capital, Abidjan, told The Associated Press he is frustrated by hardship in the country. Despite being one of West Africa’s economic powerhouses and the world’s largest cocoa producer, it has growing inequality and a poverty rate of 37.5%. More than three-quarters of the population is under 35.

“People can no longer make ends meet, Konan said. “You have to be very lucky, or a bit of a magician, to be able to live comfortably,” he said of the vibrant port capital, which still basks in its role as host of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

Analysts say the 83-year-old Ouattara is like

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