As Ivory Coast prepares for its presidential election on October 25, 2025, the atmosphere across the nation is a complex blend of anticipation, frustration, and deep-seated anxiety. President Alassane Ouattara, now 83, is seeking an unprecedented fourth term in office, a move that has sparked heated debates over legality, fairness, and the nation's future. Despite the country's image as a West African economic powerhouse and the world's leading cocoa producer, many Ivorians—especially its youth—feel left behind by the prosperity that headlines often tout.
In the bustling capital of Abidjan, the discontent is palpable. Placide Konan, a 33-year-old slam poet, has turned his art into a form of protest. According to the Associated Press, Konan declared, "People can no longer make ends meet. You have to be very lucky, or a bit of a magician, to be able to live comfortably." His words resonate with a generation for whom unemployment and inequality are daily realities. The stark poverty rate of 37.5% in the cocoa-rich region underscores the gap between economic growth and everyday life for most citizens.
More than three-quarters of Ivorians are under the age of 35, a demographic reality that should, in theory, shape the country's political direction. Instead, many young people feel marginalized by a political system that, critics argue, is designed to keep power in the hands of a select few. The government, meanwhile, points to recent infrastructure developments—expanded commuter train lines, newly paved roads, and a diversifying economy—as proof of progress. "If you left Côte d’Ivoire to live abroad for a few years and came back today, you would not recognize your neighborhood," said Assita Karamoko, a hairdresser and Ouattara supporter in Abidjan, as quoted by AP.
Yet, for many, these visible improvements have not translated into broader opportunities. Paul Melly, a consulting fellow with the Africa program at Chatham House, observed, "But it is still very hard to translate all of these into enough more jobs for young people. In terms of youth employment and business opportunity, there is still a long way to go." The frustration is compounded by the sense that political change is out of reach. Ouattara's path to a fourth term has been made easier by the disqualification of key opposition figures, most notably former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam and former president Laurent Gbagbo. Both were barred from running due to legal and nationality issues—Thiam, for instance, was ruled ineligible after acquiring French citizenship, a decision he decried as "foul play" before renouncing his French nationality in March 2025.
The remaining opposition candidates—former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon, former first lady Simone Gbagbo, civil engineer Ahoua Don Mello, and centrist Henriette Lagou—face an uphill battle. None represent an established party with the resources or nationwide reach to mount a serious challenge to Ouattara's well-oiled political machine, the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP). Analysts quoted by International Business Times suggest that Ouattara's victory remains all but certain, with his allies aiming for a "knockout blow" in the first round to avoid a runoff.
The government has taken extraordinary measures to maintain order ahead of the vote. Public rallies and opposition meetings have been banned, with authorities citing concerns for public safety. More than 40,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide, and the crackdown on dissent has been swift and severe. According to state prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone, over 700 people have been arrested, some on charges of "terrorism," and around 30 individuals have received three-year prison sentences for disturbing public order. At least three people—a gendarme and two protesters—have lost their lives in clashes, as reported by International Business Times and AP.
These actions, the government insists, are necessary to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred previous elections. In 2020, nearly 100 people died in post-election unrest, and the 2010-2011 crisis that brought Ouattara to power claimed more than 3,000 lives. "The state is taking preventive security measures to avoid electoral violence. But the best way to have peaceful polls is to organise inclusive elections," political analyst Geoffroy Kouao told International Business Times.
Critics, however, accuse the government of exploiting legal loopholes to sideline credible challengers and suppress dissent. "The recent events undermine stability at a time when (Ivory Coast), like other countries in West Africa, faces big challenges,” said Paul Melly of Chatham House. The exclusion of popular figures like Gbagbo and Thiam has led some potential voters to disengage entirely. Emile Kouadio, a resident of the pro-Gbagbo district Yopougon, summed up this sentiment: "Nothing will make me vote, my candidate isn't on the list and none of them represents my ideas."
Turnout is expected to be a key factor in the election's outcome. About 8.7 to 9 million voters are registered, with the north—where the Malinke ethnic group, strongly supportive of Ouattara, predominates—likely to see high participation rates. In contrast, southern and western regions, historically aligned with the opposition, may see lower turnout due to the absence of their preferred candidates and a lack of voting instructions from their leaders.
Ouattara, for his part, has sought to reassure the public, especially the youth, of his commitment to their future. At a rally last week, he declared, "I have always been committed to offering the best to our youth so that you can start businesses, work, learn and be independent." His supporters tout the country's strong economic growth—6% in 2024, according to the World Bank—and improved security as evidence of effective leadership. Ivory Coast has also become an oil and gas producer in the 2020s, adding to its already significant mineral wealth.
However, security remains a pressing concern, particularly in the north, where armed groups from neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso pose a constant threat. The Ivorian military is considered one of the most sophisticated in the region, but as analyst Paul Melly noted, "The security conditions are fragile and exposed in the north of the country. That is not the fault of the Ivorian government, (but) that is the reality of the regional situation."
As the nation heads to the polls, the stakes could hardly be higher. The government is eager to showcase stability and growth, while a significant portion of the population yearns for meaningful change. Whether the election will deliver on either promise remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Ivory Coast stands at a crossroads, with its young generation watching closely and hoping their voices will one day be heard.