Ivory Coast: Alassane Ouattara formally announces his candidacy for a fourth presidential term to the CEI
Abidjan, August 26, 2025 – Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara submitted his candidacy for the October 25, 2025, presidential election on Tuesday at the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) headquarters in Cocody. He is seeking a fourth term, a move strongly contested by the opposition, which deems it “unconstitutional”.
Arriving around 11:30 a.m. at the CEI, amid cheers from thousands of RHDP supporters, the head of state was received by the commission’s president, Ibrahime Kuibiert-Coulibaly, before addressing the press. “I have just submitted my candidacy in response to the call of my party and many Ivorians,” he said, expressing his desire to “continue the path of peace, stability, and development” pursued over the past several years.
Ouattara also called for calm and national cohesion: “Let us preserve peace, remain courteous in the debate, and remember that Côte d’Ivoire is above all of us.” He emphasized his wish for the election to be held “in serenity” to “strengthen democracy”.
August 26, the deadline for submitting candidacies, saw nearly 40 applicants, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and Tidiane Thiam. Both maintained their candidacies despite being deemed ineligible by the CEI.
