Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has officially declared his candidacy for a fourth term in the upcoming October presidential election, ending months of speculation that had gripped the nation’s political landscape.
The 83-year-old incumbent made the announcement in a pre-recorded address broadcast widely across social media on Tuesday, marking a dramatic moment in the run-up to a highly anticipated vote.
“The Constitution allows me to run for another term,” said Ouattara, whose statement comes amid a political environment where many of his most prominent rivals have already been sidelined.
While the news of his candidacy may not come as a total surprise, the timing caught many off guard.
Over the past few months, figures close to the president—including his own brother—had been floated as potential successors, though none managed to garner substantial support.
Ouattara’s third-term bid in 2020 sparked widespread controversy and unrest.
Although the Ivorian Constitution limits presidents to two consecutive terms, the incumbent argued at the time that the 2016 constitutional reform had effectively reset the term count, thus allowing him to run again.
His rationale, though legally contested, was upheld amid a fragmented and poorly organized opposition.
That election ultimately saw him win re-election, but at a steep cost: the nation was rocked by violent protests that left around 100 people dead, underscoring the deep divisions within the country.
As Côte d’Ivoire heads into another potentially contentious electoral season, Ouattara’s decision to seek yet another term is likely to reignite debates around constitutional interpretation, democratic governance, and political continuity in one of Francophone West Africa’s economic powerhouses.
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