Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara May Seek Fourth Term Amid Party Pressure

Ivory Coast’s ruling party supports President Alassane Ouattara for a fourth term in 2025. Although he initially expressed a desire to step down, party officials say they have no viable alternative. Ouattara has governed since 2011, despite controversies and clashes surrounding his third-term election in 2020.

Ivory Coast's ruling party has thrown its weight behind President Alassane Ouattara in seeking a fourth term in 2025. The 82-year-old leader, who had initially expressed a wish to step down, is likely to run again as his party sees no viable alternative candidates. Ouattara's party, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), passed a motion supporting his candidacy.

According to three anonymous cabinet members, the meeting aimed to convince Ouattara to stand, even though the president himself has privately expressed a desire to retreat from politics. "Supporters don't want anyone else but him," said one minister. Another added, "We're already out in the field campaigning for him."

Ouattara has overseen relative stability since taking office in 2011 but faced significant controversy and violence surrounding his third-term election in 2020. His opponents Laurent Gbagbo and Henri Konan Bedie claimed his third bid was unconstitutional, leading to clashes that resulted in 85 deaths. Despite the controversies, Ouattara's leadership has been marked by significant political influence and continued support from his party.

(With inputs from agencies.)