Côte d’Ivoire Enters New School Year Amid Rising Political Tensions Ahead of Presidential Vote  

As Côte d’Ivoire launches its 2025–2026 academic year, the national mood is marked by growing unease ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October 25.

The political climate remains tense, with fears of unrest resurfacing among citizens still haunted by memories of past electoral violence.

Central to the current uncertainty is President Alassane Ouattara’s controversial bid for a fourth term. At age 83, Ouattara’s candidacy has reignited debate over constitutional limits.

Supporters argue that a 2016 constitutional revision resets term counts, making his run legally valid. Critics, however, contend the move undermines democratic principles and risks destabilizing the country.

Tensions intensified following the initial exclusion of key opposition figures—including former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam—from the race.

Although both have since resubmitted their candidacies to the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), their temporary disqualification sparked protests in major cities such as Abidjan and raised concerns over political interference in the electoral process.

Opposition leaders accuse the government of leveraging judicial mechanisms to sideline rivals, while civil society groups warn of a deteriorating democratic environment. Calls for reform have grown louder, with demands for a comprehensive audit of the voter registry, revision of the electoral list, and restructuring of the CEI, which critics claim lacks impartiality.

The absence of formal dialogue between the ruling party and opposition factions has further deepened mistrust. With campaigning set to begin in October, many Ivorians fear a repeat of the violence that marred the 2010–2011 and 2020 elections.

As schools reopen, parents express mixed emotions—some hopeful that education will offer a semblance of normalcy, others anxious about the potential spillover of political tensions into daily life.

The final list of presidential candidates will be determined by the Constitutional Council, which is expected to rule on the admissibility of all submissions in the coming weeks. For many, the Council’s decision will be a critical test of Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic resilience.