Ivory Coast President Seeks Fourth Term
Ouattara Seeks Fourth Term Amidst Opposition Crackdown in ivory Coast
Abidjan, Ivory Coast – President Alassane Ouattara, 83, has officially announced his intention to seek a fourth term as leader of the Ivory Coast, a move that escalates political tensions as key opposition figures have been barred from the upcoming October 25 election. The announcement follows his nomination by the ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party.Ouattara, who has been at the helm of the West African nation since 2011, declared his candidacy in a televised address on Tuesday. “For several months, I have received numerous calls from fellow citizens regarding my potential candidacy in the presidential election,” he stated. He cited appeals from “women and young people from all regions of Cote d’Ivoire, and countless anonymous voices from our neighbourhoods, towns, and villages.” He added that his decision was made “after careful reflection” and guided “solely by the best interest of the nation.”
This decision marks a significant shift from Ouattara’s previous statements. He had previously indicated he would not seek re-election, but his stance changed following the death of his chosen successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly. Ouattara secured his third term in 2020 after a constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits,a move that sparked significant unrest and violence.
The political landscape is currently dominated by the exclusion of prominent opposition candidates. Critics accuse Ouattara of consolidating power, while the government maintains that the judiciary operates independently in its decisions to disqualify candidates. The two largest opposition parties, the African People’s Party of Ivory coast (PPA-CI) led by former president Laurent Gbagbo, and the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) headed by Tidjane Thiam, have formed a joint campaign to challenge the disqualifications.Several high-profile opposition figures, including Gbagbo, his former associate Charles Ble Goude, and ex-Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, have been removed from the electoral register due to criminal convictions. Ouattara’s most significant potential rival, Tidjane Thiam, was barred by a court ruling on the grounds of dual nationality, despite having renounced his French citizenship. Ivorian law prohibits dual nationals from running for the presidency.
The Ivory Coast has a history of contentious elections marked by tension and violence. Ouattara’s bid for a third term in 2020 resulted in fatalities and widespread protests, especially against the court’s decision to disqualify Thiam.
Ouattara’s pursuit of a fourth term places him among a growing cohort of West African leaders who have extended their rule by altering constitutional term limits.This trend has been cited by coup leaders in the region as a justification for seizing power, contributing to a fractured regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).