Ivory Coast: Guillaume Soro denounces Ouattara’s fourth-term bid as ‘illegal’ and ‘dictatorial’

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Exiled Ivorian opposition figure Guillaume Kigbafori Soro has fiercely condemned President Alassane Ouattara’s announcement of his candidacy for a fourth term, calling it an “illegal” move that undermines the nation’s democratic foundations.

In a strongly worded statement issued late Tuesday, Soro, a former prime minister and president of the National Assembly, denounced Ouattara’s decision as a constitutional breach. “He is trampling on the Constitution and the foundations of Ivorian democracy,” he declared, expressing outrage at what he described as an abuse of power.

A scripted reveal, says Soro

According to Soro, the announcement was carefully orchestrated. “The sham suspense orchestrated in recent weeks has fooled no one—and especially not him,” he said, alleging that the ruling administration deliberately manipulated public discourse to prepare citizens for what he views as a repeat offense.

Soro drew parallels with the controversial 2020 election, when President Ouattara ran for a third term citing “force majeure” following the death of his designated successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly. He argued that the same justifications—such as national security and economic concerns—are being used again to rationalize what he calls an “unjustifiable” bid.

A shift toward authoritarianism

The former rebel leader escalated his criticism, accusing President Ouattara of sliding into authoritarianism. “He is ready to do anything to perpetuate his personal power, with contempt for social peace, the stability of the country and the security of its inhabitants,” he warned.

Soro painted a bleak picture of the political climate in Ivory Coast, alleging that opposition leaders are imprisoned, democratic freedoms are suppressed, and the electoral system has been manipulated. He described the nation as living under a “jailed opposition,” a “gagged democracy,” and a “totally rigged” electoral list.

A call for civic resistance

Facing what he calls a political and constitutional crisis, Soro called on Ivorians to peacefully resist. “The people of Côte d’Ivoire are faced with their historic responsibility: submit to a dictatorship or rise up, with respect for the law, to defend the Constitution, justice, and freedom,” he urged.

The statement arrives at a volatile moment just three months ahead of the October 2025 presidential vote. Ouattara, in power since 2011, is facing strong resistance from key opposition factions including the PPA-CI, the PDCI-RDA, and movements loyal to Soro himself.

As debates reignite over the legitimacy of a fourth term, tensions are intensifying across the country, with fears growing over a repeat of the divisive and violent political confrontations of past election cycles.