( CNN ) -- Citizens of the Ivory Coast headed to the polls Sunday for a repeatedly delayed presidential election -- the first in a decade for the top cocoa-producing west African nation . The election pits incumbent Laurent Gbagbo against 13 challengers , including opposition leaders Henri Bedie and Alassane Ouattara . Ouattara , a former economist for the International Monetary Fund , was banned from previous races . Bedie is seeking a comeback after being ousted in a 1999 coup . The election also features the nation 's first female presidential candidate , Jacquline Oble , who was the youngest minister in the previous Cabinet . The Ivory Coast was once one of Africa 's success stories , but a 2002 civil war plunged the nation into political instability . Analysts hope the election , which has been delayed for five years , will bring lasting peace . U.S. envoys applauded the final election date after years of delay . `` The United States is convinced that credible elections are key to resolving Cote d'Ivoire 's decade-long crisis and are central to political reconciliation and creating conditions that will result in good governance and economic development , '' the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan said in a statement . `` Political stability and the rule of law are vital building blocks for a prosperous and sustainable future . '' The United Nations said it has bolstered its 8,650 troops already there amid reports that local rebels are threatening to disrupt the election . U.S. President Barack Obama said the nation 's citizens are entitled to a fair election . `` The Ivoirian government , the candidates , their supporters , and all political actors have an obligation to ensure that the long-delayed presidential elections are held in a peaceful and transparent manner , '' Obama said Thursday . If there 's no clear winner , a runoff will be held on November 28 , the United Nations said . The Ivory Coast is the world 's largest cocoa bean producer , according to the U.N. 's Food and Agriculture Organization . CNN 's Aliza Kassim contributed to this report .
The election pits incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo against 13 challengers . The Ivory Coast was once one of Africa 's success stories . But the country has been mired in violence since its independence from France in 1960.