Ivory Coast’s ruling party, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), has officially nominated President Alassane Ouattara as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 2025.
The announcement was made during the opening session of the party’s second ordinary congress held on Saturday at the Parc des Expositions in Abidjan.
President Ouattara, who has led the West African nation since 2010, was unanimously chosen by party delegates and senior officials in what they described as a show of unwavering support for his leadership and governance.
“Throughout the month of May, during the pre-congress consultations, activists chose Alassane Ouattara for his governance and his effective management of the party,” declared Mariatou Koné, Minister of National Education and Literacy, during the session.
The decision was read publicly at the close of the first day of the congress, solidifying the party’s intention to rally behind the 83-year-old leader for what would be a fourth presidential bid, should he formally accept the nomination.
Ouattara’s long political journey has been marked by both economic reforms and political controversy.
His third term in office followed the adoption of a new constitution in 2016, which his supporters argued reset presidential term limits—a move that sparked significant opposition and international scrutiny.
Despite the clear endorsement from his party, Ouattara has yet to declare his candidacy definitively.
In recent weeks, he has suggested that he remains in good health and is prepared to continue serving the nation, though he has stopped short of formally announcing his intention to run.
As speculation builds around his decision, Ouattara’s potential candidacy is expected to further shape the political landscape of Ivory Coast, a country still grappling with its complex electoral legacy.
The coming months will be critical in determining whether the octogenarian leader seeks to extend his time at the helm of one of West Africa’s most influential nations.
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