The announcement made today by Mr Ouattara constitutes a violation of our constitution and a new attack on democracy
Tensions flared in Côte d’Ivoire on July 30 as protests broke out nationwide following President Alassane Ouattara’s formal declaration to run for a fourth term in the October 25 presidential election. The move, critics argue, violates constitutional limits and threatens democratic norms.
Ouattara, age 83, cited the 2016 constitutional reset and his health to justify his decision. “I am a candidate because the constitution of our country allows me to run for another term and my health permits it,” he said in a televised address. He argued his continued leadership is necessary to tackle economic and security challenges.
Opposition leaders strongly condemned the announcement. Tidjane Thiam described it as “a violation of our constitution and a new attack on democracy,” while demonstrators in Abidjan vowed, “We are ready to resist peacefully but firmly.”
With key figures like Laurent Gbagbo, Thiam, and Guillaume Soro barred from the race, fears of an unfair election and renewed unrest are growing among the population.