What ethnic and religious background did Alassane Ouattara have?

Alassane Ouattara was born into a Muslim family belonging to the Dioula people.1

During his political career, his background became a subject of significant controversy. Specifically, questions regarding his parents' origins—with claims that at least one parent hailed from neighboring Burkina Faso—were used by political opponents to challenge his eligibility for the presidency and to question his Ivoirian citizenship.21