Ivory Coast: Ouattara clears path to presidency

2 days ago 4

Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara will run for a fourth term, thanks largely to constitutional changes he implemented himself in 2016, which reset term limits. Nine years ago, he justified the move citing the country's ongoing "security, economic, and monetary challenges," which required "experienced leadership." Ouattara also previously said on several occasions he wanted to step down from office.

"The security argument in the West African sub-region is well founded," says Alexander Stroh-Steckelberg, Chair of African Politics and Development Policy at the University of Bayreuth.

"However, the security argument is not necessarily a good argument for extending the mandate," he tells DW.

Ouattara's ruling party, the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), nominated him for the top job. The 83-year-old former banker has led Ivory Coast since 2011, and claimed in a video message on his X account that both the constitution and his health allow him to serve another term. Explaining his decision to break his earlier promise not to run again, he said, "Duty sometimes takes precedence over a promise made in good faith."

Men gesture in front of a banner reading 'No to a third term' during a meeting against the candidacy for re-election of the incumbent president Ouattara

An expected surprise

Lawyer and analyst Geoffroy Kouao told DW: "It must be acknowledged that this outcome is not surprising, considering the party's activists unanimously endorsed Ouattara as the RHDP candidate for the 2025 presidential election. Although it still caught many people off guard."

Last June, during the RHDP's second congress, party members unanimously endorsed a new candidacy for Ouattara, who also serves as the party's president. According to Sékou Dao of the RHDP political council, Ouattara's announcement is simply a positive response to the unified request from his political base.

"I always expected President Ouattara to run again," Dao explained. "With only three months remaining before such a crucial election, it would be unthinkable to select a different candidate now. Doing so would even be disrespectful to the party's dedicated activists."

Highly controversial candidacy

The opposition views Outtara's running for a fourth term as yet another breach of the Ivorian constitution, and wants to challenge it in court. Damana Pickass Adja, vice-president of the party led by Outtara's predecessor Laurent Gbagbo, told DW: "Despite all our warnings, it is clear the president's word holds little weight."

On Outtara's previous promises to step down, he says: "The president has deceived the entire nation, which is unacceptable. We will utilize every legal avenue available to ensure the constitution is upheld."

Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo addresses delegates of his newly formed political party, the African People's Party-Ivory Coast

Several opposition candidates were barred from the upcoming election, despite a joint campaign by the biggest parties demanding their party leaders be reinstates as presidential candidates.

Opposition stopped from running

Tidjane Thiam (PDCI-RDA) was disqualified for formerly being an Ivorian-French dual citizen, even though Thiam renounced his French nationality. Thousands of his supporters took to the streets in Abidjan to protest against his disqualification. And former president Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Ble Goude, and former prime minister Guillaume Soro were also excluded, mainly due to legal convictions or restrictions stemming from past political conflicts.

People hold placards as they gesture and chant slogans during a protest march against the new Ivory Coast's draft constitution in Abidjan

"Today's announcement by Ouattara constitutes a violation of our Constitution and a new attack on democracy," Thiam said.

The disqualifications have been criticized domestically and internationally as damaging to Ivorian democracy and undermining the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Ouattara's announcement comes amid political polarization and legal challenges, intensifying the already fraught political landscape ahead of the October election. A planned demonstration on August 2 was also banned by the prefecture in Abidjan.

"In politics, every action provokes a reaction," political analyst Geoffroy Kouao told DW, adding: "The opposition will likely seek other lawful means to oppose what they deem a fourth term."

Ivorian elections have brought unrest

Since the death of the Ivory Coast's first president, Felix Houphouet Boigny, in 1993, elections have historically sparked tensions. The country has yet to experience a peaceful transfer of power in 35 years of democracy. The ongoing dispute regarding the exclusion of opposition candidates is reminiscent of the violent electoral conflicts of the past, notably the 2010-2011 crisis that resulted in over 3,000 fatalities. Ouattara's contentious third-term campaign in 2020, which followed the death of his chosen successor, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, also ignited turmoil.

Over 8.7 million Ivorians are registered to vote. Meanwhile, civil society organizations and religious figures, such as the Catholic Bishops' Conference, have voiced deep concern about the increasing political polarization across the nation.