Elections in Côte d'Ivoire: Ouattara at the center of controversy!

Elections in Côte d'Ivoire: Ouattara at the center of controversy!

The presidential election will take place in Côte d'Ivoire on October 24, 2025, in which the incumbent Alassane Ouattara is the clear favorite. The 83-year-old politician, who has been in office since 2011, is seeking a fourth term in office. However, his candidacy raises questions about political stability and the democratic situation in the country, especially in light of the controversial interpretation of the 2016 constitution, which was amended in 2020. Critics accuse him of opportunistically circumventing constitutional restrictions after he ran for a third term in 2020, despite previously declaring he would not seek further mandates. Vienna.at reports that Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam were also excluded from the election, further polarizing the political landscape.

In recent weeks there have been protests across the country against the exclusion of these main opposition candidates. These protests ended tragically when four people died in violent clashes and hundreds were arrested. The building of an independent electoral commission was set on fire and authorities imposed a ban on gatherings. To control the situation, 44,000 security forces were mobilized. The wave of violence and repression during the election campaign is reminiscent of the bloody conflicts of the 2010 and 2020 presidential elections, which saw the use of violence and many deaths.

The elections and the candidates

Five candidates have officially registered for the election, including Alassane Ouattara (RHDP), Simone Ehivet Gbagbo (MGC) and three other candidates with less political support. The political divisions and the fact that Ouattara will run as the only “major player” greatly strengthen his chances of victory. Observers interpret the Constitutional Council's decisions to exclude important opposition candidates such as Gbagbo and Thiam as politically motivated. These decisions could weaken the possibility of a united opposition, especially since the political parties PDCI, RHDP, FPI and PPA-CI dominate the political scene.

Important topics in the election campaign are youth unemployment, corruption and political participation. In a country where the median age group is 18, there is a clear gap between the ideas of the young generation and the established politicians. Dissatisfaction is growing as many opportunities remain unused and key promises to strengthen democracy have not been kept, which, according to IPG-Journal, is leading some young Ivorians to consider alternatives in military governments in neighboring countries.

The election comes against a backdrop of rising prices for basic foodstuffs and rents as well as ongoing social tensions. The government has largely contained the terrorist threat, but the risk remains high, increasing uncertainty ahead of the elections. Côte d'Ivoire plays a key role in West Africa's stability, but political tensions and pressure on civil society raise questions about the country's future direction. Information from Iris France underlines that the upcoming elections are crucial not only for the political future of Côte d'Ivoire, but also for the entire West African region.