Ivorian media on Monday, 21 July 2025, were dominated by sharp political debates, economic updates, and sporting achievements, with widespread coverage of President Alassane Ouattara’s potential bid for a fourth term in October’s presidential election.
According to Générations Nouvelles, Ouattara is “strengthening his repressive system” as speculation mounts over his candidacy. L’Inter echoed similar concerns, highlighting the growing tension surrounding the president, who has led the nation for 14 years.
The debate intensified following comments from renowned reggae artist Tiken Jah Fakoly, who publicly urged Ouattara to step aside. “Tiken Jah calls on Ouattara to step down,” reported Notre Voie, as opposition parties and civil society groups continue to pressure the president to open the field for new leadership. Meanwhile, Le Patriote countered by praising Ouattara’s record, while Le Nouveau Réveil noted that “Côte d’Ivoire has been hanging on Ouattara’s every word for a month,” underscoring public anticipation over his decision.
The internal turmoil within the African People’s Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) also captured headlines. Le Quotidien d’Abidjan reported that the party has launched missions to gather sponsorship for former president Laurent Gbagbo’s candidacy, despite fractures within its ranks. Dissenters have proposed Ahoua Don Mello as a “precautionary candidacy,” with Jour Plus quoting a PPA-CI official as saying, “Don Mello’s candidacy will free Gbagbo.” The divisions, described by L’Avenir as a “cacophony,” prompted one party figure to warn, “Sacrificing Côte d’Ivoire for Gbagbo would be a crime.”
Beyond politics, Soir Info reported that 20 million Ivorians have now enrolled in universal health coverage, while Allô Police detailed the arrest of a pedophile marabout in Port-Bouët. On the sports front, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire advanced to the quarter-finals of the CAN Mini Football Tournament in Derna, Libya, adding a rare note of celebration to a tense national news cycle.
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