Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara Announces Fourth-Term Bid Amid Political Tensions
Ouattara Defends Candidacy Citing Stability Concerns
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, 83, has officially declared his intention to seek a fourth term in the upcoming October elections. In a public statement, the long-serving leader dismissed concerns about his age and health, framing his candidacy as essential to maintaining national stability during ongoing security and economic challenges.
The president’s controversial decision hinges on a constitutional argument – he maintains that the 2016 constitutional revision reset presidential term limits, legally permitting him to run again despite previously serving three terms. This interpretation has sparked fierce debate among constitutional scholars and political opponents.
Opposition Candidates Barred from Election
Ouattara enters the race as the clear frontrunner after electoral authorities disqualified several prominent opposition figures. The excluded candidates include:
- Former President Laurent Gbagbo
- Ex-Prime Minister Guillaume Soro
- Former minister and banking executive Tidjane Thiam
The exclusions have drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Thiam issued a strongly worded statement condemning Ouattara’s decision: “Today’s announcement by Mr. Ouattara constitutes a violation of our Constitution and a new attack on democracy. The Ivorian people will continue to make their voices heard.”
Growing Political Tensions and Crackdown on Dissent
On the same day as Ouattara’s announcement, authorities banned a planned peaceful protest scheduled for August 7. The demonstration, organized by opposition groups, aimed to demand:
- Reinstatement of disqualified candidates
- An independent audit of voter registration lists
This crackdown on opposition activities has raised concerns among international observers and domestic civil society groups about the fairness of the electoral process.
Economic Record vs. Political Discontent
Ouattara’s campaign will likely highlight Ivory Coast’s strong economic performance under his leadership. The West African nation has recorded impressive GDP growth exceeding 6% annually for four consecutive years, building on Ouattara’s background as an economist and former IMF official.
However, this economic success story contrasts with growing public disillusionment with the political establishment. Many Ivorians express frustration with perceived democratic backsliding and the concentration of power in the presidency.
Fears of Electoral Violence Resurface
The current political climate evokes painful memories of past electoral violence in Ivory Coast. The country remains scarred by:
- The 2010-2011 post-election conflict that claimed over 3,000 lives
- Deadly protests surrounding Ouattara’s controversial third-term bid in 2020
With more than 8.7 million registered voters preparing to cast ballots, religious leaders and civil society organizations have sounded alarms about escalating political polarization. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference recently warned that the exclusion of opposition candidates risks undermining national cohesion.
As the election approaches, all eyes will be on whether Ivory Coast can navigate this politically charged period without a return to violence, and whether Ouattara’s economic record will outweigh concerns about democratic norms.
Source: BBC News