Scheduled to take place in October 2025, the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire is stirring the political class. Will President Ouattara run for a fourth term? All seems to indicate so. In a statement dated today, the Ivorian Head of State made a reassuring statement about his «excellent health» and his «desire to serve his country.» While indicating that he had not yet made his decision and mentioning that his party had «half a dozen potential candidates,» he also stated that he would not be running in the election.
Several indications suggest that Alassane Ouattara will enter the competition:
- The return, on January 7, of a heavyweight like Patrick Achi, former Prime Minister and State Minister, and Special Advisor to the President of the Republic, is most likely due to the campaign that is about to begin and which he could lead.
- The announcement, during his speech to the Ivorian Nation, of the rapid withdrawal of the 43rd Brigade from the country came as a bit of a surprise for an African President (the last one?) reputed for his Francophilia. At the same time, military cooperation with the United States is strengthening. This may be the result of clumsy pressure from the Elysée to try to dissuade him from entering the presidential race. But it may also be the desire to capitalize on a renewed pan-African sentiment, Macron’s France being the main target.
If his candidacy were confirmed, President Ouattara would have as his main rival Tidjane Thiam, the leader of the PDCI, whose past record offers a guarantee of unquestionable seriousness and solidity.
And finally, an outsider, Jean-Louis Billon, who is out of favor with the PDCI but has long been preparing for this eventuality and can count on significant networks in the business world.
French 
English 
Chinese 
Arabic