Côte d’Ivoire’s political landscape electrifies as President Alassane Ouattara formally declared his candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The announcement, made during a national address, confirmed a widely anticipated move that has already fueled considerable debate and tension across the West African nation.
President Ouattara, 83, justified his decision by citing a national duty that “transcends the word given in good faith,” referring to his previous statements about stepping aside after his second term.
He emphasized the need for experienced leadership in the face of “unprecedented security, economic, and monetary challenges,” including a growing terrorist threat in the sub-region and international economic uncertainties.
Crucially, the President invoked the Constitution of the “Third Republic” as legal grounds for his bid.
This refers to the new constitution adopted in 2016, which his ruling rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party argues reset the presidential term limits, allowing him to seek another mandate.
This interpretation, which enabled his controversial run in 2020, remains a significant point of contention with the opposition, who view it as a circumvention of democratic principles.
“Yes, I am a candidate, because the Constitution of our country authorizes me to seek another mandate, and my health allows it,” President Ouattara stated, seeking to reassure the populace.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring peaceful, democratic, and transparent elections, a promise that resonates deeply in a country with a history of electoral violence.
The announcement comes amidst a turbulent pre-election period.
The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) released its final list of candidates on June 4, notably excluding several prominent opposition figures.
Former President Laurent Gbagbo and his close ally Charles Ble Goude were barred due to past convictions, while Tidjane Thiam of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA), once considered a leading challenger, was deemed ineligible on nationality grounds despite recently renouncing his French citizenship.
These exclusions have drawn strong criticism from opposition parties, who question the impartiality and independence of the electoral institution.
Among the declared candidates now set to challenge Ouattara are Simone Gbagbo of the Movement of Capable Generations (MGC), Pascal Affi N’Guessan of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), and Jean-Louis Billon, running as an independent.
President Ouattara outlined his vision for a new mandate, promising a focus on “generational transfer” within his team.
He pledged to consolidate past achievements, improve the daily lives of Ivorians, especially the most vulnerable, and continue the country’s development trajectory towards peace, stability, and prosperity.
As Côte d’Ivoire heads towards October 25, the President’s highly anticipated candidacy sets the stage for a fiercely contested election, with the issues of constitutional interpretation, electoral integrity, and national unity at the forefront of the political discourse.
The international community will be closely watching to see if the Nation can navigate this crucial electoral period peacefully.
