As Ivorians prepare to vote on October 25, the nation stands at a crossroads — one that could either reaffirm its democratic strength or expose the cracks beneath years of stability.
At 83, President Alassane Ouattara is once again asking Ivorians to trust him for a fourth term. For some, he’s the man who turned the page after the 2010–2011 post-election crisis, rebuilt the economy, and kept the country safe while neighboring states fell into coups and chaos. For others, his continued rule feels like a tightening grip on power — a slow drift away from the spirit of democracy Ivorians fought to reclaim.
Since 2011, Ouattara’s government has overseen massive growth: GDP has doubled, poverty has fallen, and infrastructure has flourished. From the expansion of the Port of Abidjan to new energy projects like the Baleine oil field, his administration paints a picture of progress. Even access to electricity — once a privilege — now reaches nearly every corner of the country.
But in a country where half the population is under 25, the real political fuel lies with the youth. Ouattara knows this well. At a rally in Abidjan, he told thousands of young people: “I’ve always been committed to offering the best to our youth, so you can start businesses, work, and be independent.”
Behind this push stands Youth Minister Mamadou Touré, rallying the crowd, declaring cities like Daloa “strongholds” of the ruling RHDP party. The message is clear — Ouattara’s legacy is being sold as the bridge between stability and opportunity for a generation that’s never known another president.
Still, the road to the ballot hasn’t been smooth. The disqualification of key challengers like Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo has raised eyebrows. Their exclusion has left the opposition fragmented — with figures like Simone Gbagbo focusing on reconciliation and Jean-Louis Billon championing decentralization and anti-corruption. Yet, with RHDP’s dominance across local and national structures, the playing field feels uneven.
Beyond the borders, the stakes are high. With military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Côte d’Ivoire stands as one of the last democratic strongholds in the region. A peaceful, credible vote could strengthen that reputation. But a disputed one? It could reopen old wounds, testing the nation’s fragile peace.
As posters flood Abidjan’s streets and chants fill the air, Ivorians are not just voting for a leader — they’re voting on a vision of their future. Will they choose the safety of continuity or the hope of renewal?
The answer, this October, will define whether Côte d’Ivoire continues as a beacon of stability — or slips into the shadows of endless power.
