Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has confirmed he will run for a fourth term in the country’s October 25 election, reigniting controversy over constitutional limits and the exclusion of key opposition candidates.
The 83-year-old leader made the announcement in a televised address, saying his decision followed “calls from fellow citizens” and that it was “guided solely by the best interest of the nation.”
Ouattara had previously signaled he would not seek re-election, but his ruling party, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), had already nominated him as their candidate.
“Women and young people from all regions of Côte d’Ivoire… have reached out,” he said. “I have listened
Term Limits Removed, Rivals Barred
Ouattara came to power in 2011 and secured a controversial third term in 2020 after changing the constitution to reset term limits. His latest decision comes amid growing scrutiny over democratic backsliding in West Africa.
The announcement follows a wave of disqualifications targeting leading opposition figures, including:
Laurent Gbagbo – Former president, disqualified due to a criminal conviction.
Charles Blé Goudé – Gbagbo’s former ally, also barred.
Guillaume Soro – Ex-prime minister, ruled ineligible.
Tidjane Thiam – Former banker and head of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), disqualified due to dual citizenship at the time of filing, despite renouncing French nationality later.
These bans have led the country’s two largest opposition forces, Gbagbo’s PPA-CI and Thiam’s PDCI to form a joint campaign demanding the reinstatement of their leaders.
Concerns Over Political Space and Stability
Critics accuse Ouattara of consolidating power and using the courts to sideline opponents. While the government insists that the judiciary remains independent, protests have erupted following the controversial court decisions particularly Thiam’s disqualification.
Memories of past unrest loom large. Ouattara’s third-term bid in 2020 triggered deadly clashes, and there are growing fears that the 2025 election could provoke further instability.
Observers also view the developments in Ivory Coast within a broader regional trend a number of West African leaders have extended their rule by altering constitutions, while others have been deposed by military coups citing similar abuses.
With the main challengers sidelined and constitutional checks eroded, Ouattara now stands as the frontrunner.
