What Ivorians think of president Ouattara’s decision to run for a fourth term

Ouattara, 83, confirmed his candidacy in a televised address after months of speculation. Although his ruling party, the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), had nominated him earlier, he had remained silent until now.

The president said he was responding to calls from citizens across the country. “Women and young people from all regions of Côte d’Ivoire, and countless anonymous voices from our neighbourhoods, towns, and villages have reached out,” he said. “I have made this decision guided solely by the best interest of the nation.”

In Abidjan, many residents appeared unsurprised by the move.

“In any case, they’re all old,” said Eddy Battan, who sells household goods at a roadside stall. “We just have to do things right. So, he decides to run—okay, there’s no problem.”

With several prominent opposition figures disqualified from running, Ouattara is the clear frontrunner ahead of the October 25 vote. His critics argue that the playing field is neither fair nor inclusive.

Ouattara has led the Ivory Coast since 2011. In 2020, he won a controversial third term after a constitutional change reset term limits. At the time, he had promised to step aside, but reversed his position following the death of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, his chosen successor.

In the days following his latest announcement, there have been no major protests or rallies in Abidjan. Public reaction has remained muted, with many Ivorians expressing resignation about the country’s political direction.

“It’s the same people, the same speeches,” said a teacher who declined to give her name. “Young people talk about change, but the reality is different.”