Ouattara seeks 4th term as opposition cries foul
By: Skylar DeBose
Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara announced Tuesday that he will seek a fourth term in the country’s upcoming elections this November.
The 83-year-old leader heads the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party. Ouattara said his decision was driven by the country’s growing problems.
“I am running for office because our country is facing unprecedented security, economic, and monetary challenges that require experience to manage,” Ouattara said.
He had previously pledged not to run again but reversed course following the 2020 death of his chosen successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
His latest decision has reignited political tensions, with several opposition figures barred from contesting the polls. Former Prime Minister Tidjane Thiam condemned the move.
“Today’s announcement by Mr. Ouattara constitutes a violation of our Constitution and a new attack on democracy,” Thiam said.
Thiam was nominated in April as the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast, African Democratic Rally (PDCI), but was later disqualified.
A court ruled that his French citizenship violated Ivorian nationality requirements, making him ineligible. Thiam challenged the decision, but was ultimately excluded from the final list of candidates.
Ouattara has defended the validity of his candidacy, arguing that a 2016 constitutional revision reset the two-term limit. He also maintained that judicial decisions regarding candidate eligibility were made independently.
Since taking office in 2010, Ouattara has overseen rapid economic growth, with GDP rising more than 6 percent annually over the past four years. The country is the world’s leading cocoa producer and has posted one of the fastest growth rates in sub-Saharan Africa over the past decade. Still, political disillusionment remains widespread.
Opposition parties accuse Ouattara of restricting democratic competition. Before the 2020 election, 40 presidential hopefuls were disqualified. Only four candidates, including Ouattara, were approved by the Constitutional Council. This year, three candidates have already been barred.
Critics argue that Ouattara has made it nearly impossible to challenge his power, citing the RHDP’s dominant majority in the National Assembly, limited judicial appeal options, and a ban on public demonstrations.
The African People’s Party of Ivory Coast and the PDCI have launched a joint campaign to restore their leaders’ eligibility ahead of the presidential vote.
More than 8.7 million Ivorians are registered to vote in October’s election.
