Abidjan, Ivory Coast — Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has officially declared his candidacy for a fourth term in the upcoming October elections, sparking both support and concern in equal measure across the West African nation.
The 83-year-old leader, who had once promised to pass the baton to a new generation, is now positioning himself as the steady hand the country needs—backed by strong economic growth and limited opposition.
Despite his age, Ouattara assured the nation that his health is not an issue. With top challengers like Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam barred from running, Ouattara enters the race as the clear favorite.
A Technocrat Turned Power Politician
Born in Dimbokro on January 1, 1942, Ouattara built a distinguished career in economics before entering politics.
A U.S.-trained economist, he served as Governor of the West African Central Bank (BCEAO) and later as Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He also served as Prime Minister under founding President Felix Houphouet-Boigny, during a time of agricultural prosperity and national unity.
Ouattara’s presidency has been marked by macroeconomic growth, with the IMF projecting a 6.3% GDP increase this year—consistent with trends over the last decade.
Political analyst Arthur Banga credits Ouattara for restoring Ivory Coast’s international influence, but says that democratic shortcomings still cloud his legacy.
“There are still democratic challenges to overcome,” Banga said. “This means there is work to be done to achieve normalcy.”
A Legacy Shaped by Crisis and Recovery
Ouattara rose to power following the 2010 post-election crisis, when then-incumbent Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat, igniting a brief civil war that claimed over 3,000 lives.
Ouattara’s election was the result of a strategic alliance with former President Henri Konan Bédié, who helped consolidate northern support for his candidacy.
Throughout his presidency, Ouattara has carefully navigated fragile political terrain, balancing alliances and avoiding large-scale violence during his 2015 re-election and even during the controversial 2020 campaign.
In 2020, Ouattara initially stepped aside but reversed course after the death of his chosen successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
Citing the 2016 constitution, which he argued reset his term limits, he ran again—despite boycotts by opposition parties. The result: an 85-death toll from pre- and post-election clashes.
Opposition Silenced, Democracy Questioned
This election cycle, the playing field appears even more lopsided. Key rivals—Gbagbo and Thiam—have been disqualified, virtually ensuring a smooth path for Ouattara. Though stability has been a hallmark of his rule, critics warn that democratic space is shrinking.
“Peace has returned, but it’s fragile,” said political scientist Geoffroy Julien Kouao. “Ouattara succeeded in ending a decade of conflict. However, much remains to be done to reduce social inequalities and fairly distribute wealth.”
As Ivory Coast moves closer to the polls, citizens are weighing the benefits of economic growth and peace against the erosion of political competition and the long-standing ethnic and regional divides that have shaped its modern history.
While many Ivorians credit Ouattara for restoring national pride and growth, others worry about the concentration of power and lack of political renewal.
