Côte d’Ivoire will head to the polls on October 25, 2025, to elect a new president, according to the Commission Électorale Indépendante (CEI). The election comes amid growing political tension, as incumbent President Alassane Ouattara seeks a fourth term in office.
President Ouattara, who has ruled since 2011, is running on the ticket of the Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix (RHDP). His decision to seek another term has sparked nationwide debate over term limits and the future of democracy in the country.
Opposition figures cleared to contest include Pascal Affi N’Guessan of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Simone Gbagbo of the Movement of Generations Capable (MGC), and Kouadio Konan Bertin (KKB), an independent candidate. However, several prominent politicians — including Laurent Gbagbo, Guillaume Soro, and Tidjane Thiam — were disqualified by the electoral commission.
The government has launched Operation Espérance, a nationwide security initiative aimed at maintaining peace before, during, and after the elections. Authorities say all necessary measures are in place to ensure a transparent and credible process.
This year’s election will also be the first in Ivorian history to be fully financed domestically, without foreign donor support. The government describes it as a step toward national sovereignty, though critics fear reduced international oversight.
As the campaign season intensifies, analysts say the stakes are high for Côte d’Ivoire, with voters demanding stability, fair governance, and economic inclusion.
