Table of Contents
- The Fourth Term Controversy
- Opposition Leaders Barred from Ballot
- Public Reaction and Protests
- International Community Responds
- What’s Next for Ivory Coast?
- Sources
Ivory Coast Election Crisis: Fourth Term Sparks Outrage
In a move that has ignited fierce debate across West Africa, President Alassane Ouattara is running for a fourth term in Ivory Coast’s 2025 presidential election—despite the country’s two-term constitutional limit. This controversial bid has thrown the nation into political turmoil, with critics accusing the government of undermining democracy ahead of the October 25 vote .
Ouattara, who first took office in 2011 following a violent post-election crisis, claimed his first two terms didn’t count under a revised constitution adopted in 2016. Legal experts and opposition figures have widely dismissed this interpretation as a constitutional loophole designed to extend his rule .
Key Opposition Candidates Barred
Adding fuel to the fire, Ivory Coast’s Constitutional Council has disqualified the two most prominent opposition leaders from the race. Former president Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse executive Tidjane Thiam were both excluded from the final candidate list released ahead of the October 25 election .
The electoral commission cited legal and administrative grounds for the exclusions, but opposition parties and civil society groups argue the bans are politically motivated. “This is not an election—it’s a coronation,” said one Abidjan-based political analyst who requested anonymity.
Compounding concerns, the government has also banned all public rallies and demonstrations related to the election, effectively silencing dissent in the final days before voting .
Who’s Left on the Ballot?
| Candidate | Party | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alassane Ouattara | RHDP | Incumbent, running for 4th term |
| Henri Konan Bédié | PDCI | Former president, cleared to run |
| Other minor candidates | Various | Limited national support |
Public Reaction and Protests
Despite the rally ban, thousands of Tidjane Thiam’s supporters flooded the streets of Abidjan in June, chanting “Thithi president!” in a rare show of defiance . Since then, however, security forces have enforced strict controls, raising fears of unrest on election day.
Many Ivorians express fatigue with political instability. “We just want peace and fair elections,” said Aya K., a teacher in Yamoussoukro. “But how can we trust a process that excludes our choices?”
International Community Responds
The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have issued cautious statements urging “transparency and inclusivity.” Meanwhile, the European Union and United States have stopped short of calling the election illegitimate but have expressed “serious concerns” over the opposition bans .
Observers note that Ivory Coast is a key economic hub in Francophone Africa, and prolonged instability could ripple across regional markets.
What’s Next for Ivory Coast?
With voting set for October 25, 2025, all eyes are on Abidjan. If Ouattara wins amid a fragmented and suppressed opposition, his legitimacy may be questioned both domestically and abroad. Analysts warn that without credible reforms, the country risks sliding back into the cycles of violence that plagued it in the 2000s and 2010s.
For now, citizens are left wondering: is this a democratic election—or a carefully staged continuation of one-man rule?
