Tensions are rising in Côte d’Ivoire as the ruling party formally throws its weight behind President Alassane Ouattara for the October 2025 presidential election—despite the 83-year-old leader’s ongoing silence on whether he’ll accept the nomination. His potential fourth-term bid is fanning the flames of political controversy in a country still healing from past electoral violence.
The Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) made the announcement at a national congress in Abidjan over the weekend. With chants of loyalty and unanimous applause, delegates officially endorsed Ouattara as their candidate—even though he wasn’t present. The party’s message was loud and clear: they want continuity, and they believe Ouattara is the one to deliver it.
Yet just two days earlier, opposition heavyweights were making their own moves. Former President Laurent Gbagbo’s African People’s Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA–CI) and ex-Credit Suisse boss Tidjane Thiam’s Democratic Party (PDCI) joined forces, forming a united front to challenge what they describe as a rigged and unfair process. They’re demanding the reinstatement of all opposition candidates disqualified from running—a list that includes Gbagbo himself, Guillaume Soro, Charles Blé Goudé, and Thiam, whose nationality is now under scrutiny.
For many in the country, the stakes go beyond politics—they touch on justice, fairness, and the soul of Ivorian democracy.
Ouattara’s silence is only adding to the intrigue. Earlier this year, he hinted at a desire to keep serving the nation, but he has yet to declare officially. All eyes now turn to the upcoming rally at Ebimpé Stadium, where he’s expected to either confirm or crush speculation. If he runs again, critics warn it will test the boundaries of democracy, as he’s already served three terms. However, his supporters argue that the 2016 constitutional reform gave him a clean slate.
Inside the RHDP, there’s no lack of praise. Party leaders credit Ouattara with engineering a decade of economic progress—7% GDP growth, improved infrastructure, and renewed global credibility. “He has to accept and listen to the cries of his children who are calling on him to continue the adventure,” said one loyalist.
But outside the party, concern is growing. Many fear the opposition has been deliberately weakened. Human rights groups and international observers are worried that the disqualifications—however legal they may appear—are eroding political freedom and public trust in the electoral process.
Côte d’Ivoire’s October election won’t just determine a new leader; it will test the nation’s commitment to democratic principles. With the ghosts of past violence still fresh, the world is watching. Will the country step forward into a more inclusive future—or spiral back into division and unrest?
