Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is pursuing a fourth term in office this Saturday, October 25, 2025, pledging to continue nearly 15 years of economic growth, even as critics accuse his administration of suppressing dissent.
The election, in the world’s largest cocoa-producing nation, sees Ouattara, 83, face two former government ministers and Simone Gbagbo, ex-wife and former spokesperson for his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo. Backed by a strong political party, Ouattara is widely regarded as the frontrunner.
Two other prominent figures, Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, were barred from contesting. Thiam has criticized the race as a “coronation.” Ouattara, who has dismissed concerns over his age and health, initially came to power following a four-month civil war triggered by Gbagbo’s refusal to accept defeat in the 2010 election.
Focus on Economic Growth and Jobs
A former IMF deputy managing director, Ouattara has positioned Ivory Coast as one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies, issuing some of the continent’s top-performing international bonds. Patrick Achi, government spokesperson and former prime minister, highlighted Ouattara’s record:
“The whole economic system was really down. The education system was down, health was down, (the) road system was down,” Achi said. “We had to rebuild the whole thing.”
A fourth term would prioritize attracting private sector investment to create jobs for roughly 400,000 new graduates entering the workforce each year. “If we cannot grow the private sector fast enough to absorb them… then that becomes a threat,” Achi added.
Public Sentiment Mixed
At a pro-Ouattara rally in Abidjan’s Yopougon district, Lacine Cisse, a 42-year-old postal worker, praised the president’s stability:
“Look at Guinea, look at Niger – very rich in resources and coups slow them down. After the vote, everyone will be at the nightclub because there is peace here.”
However, others voiced dissatisfaction with the distribution of growth. Dominique Yapo, a 37-year-old gas vendor, said: “We feel like nothing is being done to improve the situation. Ouattara’s supporters are the ones who find work easily.”
Security Measures and Arrests
During the campaign, the government deployed 44,000 security personnel nationwide and imposed restrictions on opposition rallies, which Amnesty International described as “disproportionate.” Hundreds of people have been arrested, with some receiving prison terms of up to three years for offenses including disturbing public order.
Justice Minister Sansan Kambile emphasized that the restrictions are temporary and limited to the election period. “The government is committed to respecting freedom of assembly,” he stated.
