With just three months to go until Ivorians head to the polls, President Alassane Ouattara has formally announced his candidacy for a controversial fourth term in office, a move that has already begun stirring political tensions in the West African nation.
Speaking in a televised address on Tuesday evening, the 83-year-old incumbent ended months of speculation surrounding his political future by confirming his decision to seek re-election in the October 25 presidential polls.
“I am a candidate because I want our beloved Côte d’Ivoire to continue to remain a prosperous country, in peace and security,” President Ouattara declared.
Ouattara, who has held power since 2011, said both his health and the current Constitution permit him to run for another five-year term. He framed his decision as one driven by duty rather than ambition.
“We are facing unprecedented security, economic, and monetary challenges,” he noted. “Indeed, the terrorist threat is growing in the sub-region and economic uncertainties at the international level constitute a risk for our country. These challenges demand experienced leadership.”
Constitutional Controversy
The announcement comes against a backdrop of legal and political controversy. Critics argue that Ouattara’s decision undermines the democratic spirit of the Ivorian Constitution, especially after his contentious third-term bid in 2020.
In 2016, Ouattara oversaw a constitutional reform that reset term limits, allowing him to run again in the 2020 election—an election that many opposition groups boycotted, branding his candidacy as illegal and unconstitutional.
Despite the outcry, the Constitutional Council approved his third-term bid, a move that led to deadly protests and nationwide unrest in the lead-up to the 2020 polls. More than 80 people were killed in political clashes during that period.
Support from the Ruling Party
Ouattara’s Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party has been openly calling for his candidacy in recent months. Large pro-Ouattara rallies have been held across several cities, with party supporters arguing that his leadership is essential for maintaining peace and progress.
In formally nominating him, the RHDP described Ouattara as the “sole guarantor of national unity and stability,” citing his record in office, which includes robust economic growth and large-scale infrastructure development.
Party spokespersons say they are confident of victory, stressing that the electorate trusts Ouattara’s stewardship of the economy and his role in positioning Ivory Coast as one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
Rising Opposition Tensions
However, Ouattara’s decision is expected to reignite tensions with opposition groups, who have already begun mobilizing to challenge what they see as an attempt to entrench political power indefinitely.
Two of the country’s most prominent opposition leaders—former President Laurent Gbagbo and Democratic Party (PDCI) leader Tidjane Thiam—are currently challenging their exclusion from the electoral roll. Both men have been barred from standing due to legal and administrative obstacles, prompting a wave of criticism from civil society groups and international observers.
Gbagbo, now the head of the African People’s Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PPACI), has described the move as a deliberate attempt to suppress competition and stifle pluralism. Thiam, a former CEO of Credit Suisse and a widely respected technocrat, has also rejected the decision as politically motivated.
The PDCI and PPACI have since formed a joint campaign calling for the reinstatement of their candidates, warning that a flawed election could plunge the country back into crisis.
“We are witnessing a return to one-man rule,” said an opposition spokesperson. “Ivorians deserve a free and fair election, not another coronation.”
Electoral Timeline and Uncertainty
The official deadline for submitting candidacies is at the end of August, ahead of the first round of voting scheduled for October 25. The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has yet to confirm the final list of eligible candidates, and legal battles are expected to continue into September.
Observers warn that unless opposition leaders are given a level playing field, voter turnout may suffer and post-election stability could be compromised.
While Ouattara insists that his candidacy is constitutional and necessary, critics fear it could deepen divisions in a country still healing from past political violence. Ivory Coast descended into civil war following the disputed 2010 election, which saw Ouattara eventually take office after months of bloodshed.
Since then, the president has won praise for overseeing economic reforms and attracting foreign investment. But critics say these gains have come at the cost of democratic freedoms and political inclusion.
Regional and International Implications
Ivory Coast is a key player in West Africa, and instability within its borders could have a ripple effect across the region, particularly as neighboring countries like Burkina Faso and Mali continue to grapple with jihadist insurgencies and political instability.
With ECOWAS and the African Union closely monitoring developments, the conduct of the upcoming election will likely serve as a litmus test for democratic norms in the region.
International rights groups and diplomatic missions are calling on Ivorian authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process, and to allow for full participation of all political stakeholders.
What’s Next?
As the campaign season heats up, all eyes will be on how the electoral commission handles the candidacy approvals and whether the courts uphold or overturn the bans on Gbagbo and Thiam.
For now, Ouattara’s declaration sets the stage for yet another high-stakes election in one of Africa’s most politically dynamic nations.
Whether his fourth-term bid will deliver stability or provoke further unrest remains to be seen.
