President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire was sworn in on Monday, December 8, 2025, for a fourth five-year term, following an October election marred by low voter turnout and a tightening of political freedoms.
The inauguration ceremony, held in Abidjan, was attended by several West and Central African leaders, including the presidents of Mauritania, Liberia, The Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, and Gabon.
After taking the oath of office, Ouattara highlighted the nation’s progress under his leadership, saying, “On Saturday, October 25, Ivorians expressed their sovereign choice. They reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, to stability and to peace, for which so much effort has been made since 2011.”
He also acknowledged regional security challenges, warning that, “Our sub-regional environment remains fragile. Terrorist threats persist, are changing, and digitizing.”
The 83-year-old leader first came to power after a disputed 2010 election against former president Laurent Gbagbo, a conflict that left at least 3,000 people dead. Ouattara ultimately assumed power with the backing of United Nations and French forces.
Since then, his administration has been credited with stabilising Côte d’Ivoire’s economy — the world’s largest cocoa producer — achieving an average annual growth rate of about 6%. Supporters hail him as a reformer who restored order and growth, while critics accuse him of consolidating power and weakening democratic institutions.
In the run-up to the October election, major opposition figures, including former president Laurent Gbagbo and ex–Credit Suisse executive Tidjane Thiam, were barred from contesting. The decision triggered widespread protests, which authorities later banned, leading to clashes, arrests, and reports of excessive force.
While the Ivorian constitution imposes a two-term presidential limit, Ouattara pushed through a constitutional referendum in 2016, which he argued effectively reset his previous terms.
His leadership has also been marked by diplomatic strains with junta-led Sahelian neighbours — Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso — who accuse him of siding with France, a country they claim contributed to insecurity in the region.
Despite mounting criticism, Ouattara’s supporters maintain that his continued rule is essential for preserving stability in a country that has endured two civil wars and years of political upheaval.
