Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara , 83, Says He Will Run For Fourth Term

Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has announced his intention to run for a fourth term in the upcoming October election. At 83 years old, Ouattara insists his health remains strong and that his candidacy aims to “preserve national stability amid ongoing security and economic challenges.”

Ouattara cites a 2016 constitutional change that he says resets his previous two-term limit, allowing him to stand again. He enters the race as the clear frontrunner, following the disqualification of several major opposition figures, including former President Laurent Gbagbo, ex-Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, and former minister Tidjane Thiam.

Opposition leaders quickly condemned Ouattara’s decision. Tidjane Thiam called it “a violation of our Constitution and a new attack on democracy,” vowing that Ivorians will voice their opposition. On the same day as the announcement, authorities banned a peaceful protest scheduled for August 7, which was organized to demand reinstatement of disqualified candidates and an independent voter list audit.

Ouattara, a former international banker, has presided over more than six years of strong economic growth averaging over 6% annually. However, political tensions are high amid widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling establishment. The exclusion of opposition candidates has revived fears of past electoral violence, reminiscent of the 2010-2011 crisis that claimed over 3,000 lives and unrest linked to Ouattara’s controversial third term in 2020.

With over 8.7 million Ivorians registered to vote, civil society and religious leaders, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, have expressed deep concern over increasing political polarization in the country.