Ivory Coast’s presidential race has reached a fever pitch as candidates wrapped up their campaigns on Thursday, October 23, 2025, just days before the nation heads to the polls. The outcome will determine whether 83-year-old President Alassane Ouattara, a towering figure in Ivorian politics, secures a fourth term and extends his rule over the cocoa-rich West African country to nearly two decades.
Ouattara, running under the banner of the ruling Rassemblement des Houphouetistes pour la Paix, has spent the campaign championing his vision for stability and progress. His slogan, “For a Great Nation,” has been splashed across billboards and posters that dominate the streets of Abidjan, the country’s bustling economic hub. According to AP, thousands of his loyalists converged in central Abidjan on Thursday, waving flags and chanting party slogans as music blared from speakers. The atmosphere was electric, with supporters brimming with confidence about their candidate’s prospects.
Standing before a sea of supporters and the city’s newly built bridges, Ouattara delivered a pointed message to his critics. “The dogs are barking but the caravan has moved already,” he declared, drawing cheers from the crowd. It was a statement that captured both his defiance in the face of criticism and his determination to press forward, regardless of the noise swirling around the campaign.
The stakes in this election are high, and the context is anything but ordinary. An estimated 8.7 million Ivorians are registered to vote, but the field of candidates is strikingly narrow. Four opposition candidates are in the race, but their parties are fragmented and weakened, making it difficult for them to mount a serious challenge to the incumbent. The race’s dynamics have been dramatically altered by the disqualification of two major opposition figures: former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam and ex-president Laurent Gbagbo. Their exclusion from the ballot has sparked widespread anger and led to demonstrations across the country, with hundreds of arrests and dozens reportedly imprisoned, as reported by Reuters and AP.
In the eastern city of Aboisso, former first lady Simone Gbagbo made her final appeal to voters, while in Bouaké, former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon addressed a modest crowd. Both have campaigned energetically, but analysts cited by AP and Reuters agree that their chances are slim. The absence of Thiam and Gbagbo—both seen as strong contenders—has left the opposition fractured and demoralized.
Abidjan, usually alive with commerce and color, has taken on an uneasy calm. Many shops are shuttered, and residents are bracing for the possibility of unrest. The memory of violence in previous elections hangs over the city like a cloud, prompting people to stay home and businesses to close their doors. “Elections in Ivory Coast have a history of violence,” noted AP, highlighting the palpable sense of anxiety on the streets.
Despite these tensions, Ouattara’s campaign has projected an image of inevitability. His smiling face beams from billboards at nearly every intersection, while the posters of his opponents are few and far between—a visual sign of the president’s dominance. “Ouattara will win in the first round,” predicted Ange Ouattara, a 25-year-old supporter, in remarks to AP. Dismissing the competition, he added, “The others are just opponents for the sake of opposition.”
The road to this election has been anything but smooth. The disqualification of Thiam and Gbagbo, both of whom command significant followings, triggered a wave of protests that swept through cities and towns. The government’s response was swift and forceful, resulting in hundreds of arrests and a hardening of political lines. For many Ivorians, the decision to bar these candidates has cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the election and intensified fears of post-election turmoil.
Ouattara’s supporters, however, see things differently. They point to the president’s record of economic growth and infrastructure development, especially in Abidjan, as evidence of his ability to deliver stability and prosperity. The new bridges and roads that now crisscross the city are touted as symbols of progress, and his campaign has not hesitated to showcase these achievements. “For a Great Nation” is more than a slogan—it’s a promise that Ouattara’s backers believe he can fulfill.
Yet, the opposition’s voice, though muted, has not been silenced. Simone Gbagbo, drawing on her legacy as a former first lady and her own political experience, has tried to rally disaffected voters. Jean-Louis Billon, with his background in commerce, has focused on economic issues. Both have attempted to present themselves as viable alternatives, but the odds are stacked against them. The absence of high-profile challengers has made it difficult for their campaigns to gain traction, and the dominance of Ouattara’s image in public spaces only reinforces the perception of an uneven playing field.
As election day approaches, the mood in Ivory Coast is one of cautious anticipation. Some residents hope for a peaceful vote and a clear outcome, while others worry that the underlying tensions could erupt into violence. The government has urged calm and promised to ensure security, but memories of past unrest linger.
The international community is watching closely, aware of Ivory Coast’s pivotal role in West Africa. The country is not only the world’s top cocoa producer but also a regional economic powerhouse. Stability in Ivory Coast has implications far beyond its borders, and the outcome of Saturday’s vote will be scrutinized by neighbors and partners alike.
For now, all eyes are on the polls. Will Ouattara cruise to a fourth term, as many expect, or will the fragmented opposition manage to surprise the political establishment? The answer will come soon enough, but in the meantime, the streets of Abidjan and other cities remain tense, waiting for the next chapter in the country’s political story to unfold.
In a nation where politics has long been a source of both hope and heartbreak, the coming days are sure to test the resilience of Ivory Coast’s democracy—and the patience of its people.