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Ouattara, Alassane

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara to Seek Fourth Term Amid Opposition Exclusion

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As tensions rise over the exclusion of many heavyweight opposition candidates, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has announced he will seek a fourth term leading the West African nation. Ouattara, the 83-year-old president who has led the country since 2011, declared his plan in a televised announcement on Tuesday, citing the appeal of his fellow citizens and the need to act in the best interest of the nation. This move comes after his ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party officially nominated him as its candidate, but he had not yet said if he would contest the October 25 election. With the country's most high-profile opposition politicians ruled ineligible, Ouattara is the clear frontrunner.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ouattara has announced he will seek a fourth term as president of Ivory Coast, a move that has sparked tensions over the exclusion of many heavyweight opposition candidates.
  • Ouattara's decision comes after his ruling RHDP party officially nominated him as its candidate, despite him having previously said he would not run again.
  • The opposition has accused Ouattara of tightening his grip on power and strongly oppose his running again, with several high-profile leaders being barred from contesting the election.
  • The opposition alliance, led by the African People's Party of Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) and the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), is demanding the reinstatement of their barred leaders ahead of the presidential election.
  • Ouattara's rival, Tidjane Thiam, was barred from running by a court on the grounds that he was still a French citizen at the time he declared his candidacy, despite later renouncing his French nationality.
  • Ivorian law bans dual nationals from running for president, which has led to controversy and opposition from opponenents.
  • This move follows a trend among West African leaders remaining in power after changing the constitutional term limit, with Ouattara being the latest example.

Statistics:

  • 83: The age of President Alassane Ouattara at the time of his announcement.
  • 2011: The year Ouattara took office as president of Ivory Coast.
  • 2020: The year Ouattara won a third term in office after the constitution was changed to reset the presidential term limit.
  • 25: The day of the scheduled presidential election in October.
  • 6/22: The date Ouattara announced that he would make a decision regarding his candidacy.

Sources:

  • "Key Ivory Coast opposition figures banned from presidential vote" (Al Jazeera, June 4, 2025)
  • "Tidjane Thiam: President supporters rally for banned Ivorian presidential candidate" (Al Jazeera, June 20, 2025)

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