Thousands of Ivorians took to the streets on Saturday in a rally organized by former President Laurent Gbagbo to oppose incumbent leader Alassane Ouattara’s controversial bid for a fourth term in office. The demonstration, the second in a week, comes just months before the country’s presidential election in October.
Addressing a large crowd, the 80-year-old Gbagbo, leader of the African People’s Party (PPA-CI), did not directly name Ouattara but called on supporters to reject what he described as an unconstitutional power grab. “We must stand against a fourth term,” Gbagbo declared, condemning the president’s decision to run again while demanding the release of opposition activists arrested in recent weeks.
Ouattara, first elected in 2010, initially adhered to the country’s two-term limit. However, in 2016, he revised the constitution, resetting term limits and allowing himself to run for a third term in 2020. In July, he announced his candidacy for the 2025 election, arguing that both his health and the revised constitution permit him to seek another mandate.
The move has sparked backlash from opposition groups, who accuse Ouattara of undermining democracy. Despite facing multiple challengers in the upcoming election, key opposition figures—including Gbagbo and former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro—have been barred from running due to prior court convictions.
While Ouattara has pledged a peaceful electoral process, political analysts warn that tensions could escalate, particularly as opposition leaders and their supporters grow increasingly frustrated over exclusion from the race.
The October election is seen as a critical test for Ivory Coast’s stability, with fears that the sidelining of major opposition voices could lead to further unrest in the West African nation.
