The President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, has announced he will seek a fourth term in office during the upcoming October election. His decision comes despite previous public statements that he would step down after his second term.
The 83 year-old leader, who has been in power since 2011, justified his decision by saying the country is facing significant security, economic, and financial challenges that require experienced leadership.
Ouattara’s bid for another term is supported by a constitutional change made in 2016, which removed presidential term limits. This has been a source of contention in the past. His third term, in 2020, was highly disputed and led to clashes that resulted in the deaths of over 85 people.
The announcement also follows the disqualification of many prominent opposition candidates from the race. Critics argue that this creates a lack of fair competition and that Ouattara’s decision to run again reflects a worrying trend of leaders in West Africa extending their time in power.
