Ivory Coast’s ruling party, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), has officially declared its support for President Alassane Ouattara’s potential bid for a fourth term in the upcoming 2025 presidential elections. This move heightens the likelihood that the 82-year-old incumbent will run again, despite his previous indications of wanting to step down.
Ouattara, who has been in power since 2011, was re-elected amid controversy in 2020, a race marked by violence and claims of unconstitutionality. Despite previously stating his intention not to seek another term, he suggested that his old rivals must also commit to withdrawing from politics for him to consider stepping aside.
In a recent meeting, top officials of the RHDP passed a motion affirming their desire to secure Ouattara’s leadership for the 2025 elections. Three cabinet members, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed concerns about the party’s lack of a viable candidate aside from Ouattara. One member noted that the meeting aimed to persuade the president to run again, while another emphasized that the grassroots supporters have expressed a strong preference for him as the candidate.
“We’ve told him that supporters don’t want anyone else but him, and we’re aligning ourselves with this choice. He has no choice but to accept and be our candidate in 2025,” one minister stated. A third official added, “It’s up to him to make an official statement when he wants to, but he knows that we’re already out in the field campaigning for him.”
While Ouattara has overseen a period of relative stability during his nearly 15 years in office, the political landscape remains tense. The 2020 presidential election was marred by clashes that resulted in the deaths of 85 individuals, as opposition figures, including former presidents Laurent Gbagbo and Henri Konan Bédié, contested the legitimacy of Ouattara’s candidacy for a third term.
After the death of his preferred successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Ouattara ultimately decided to run for a third term after receiving clearance from the Constitutional Court. However, his opponents boycotted the election, further complicating the political climate.
Ouattara has contended that a new constitution adopted in 2016 reset his term limits, allowing him to run again in 2020, a stance that has been met with disagreement from opposition parties.
As the 2025 elections approach, the RHDP’s strong backing of Ouattara signals a commitment to maintaining continuity in leadership, but it also raises questions about the future of political competition and stability in Ivory Coast.
