By Emmanuel Nduka
Ivory Coast’s long-serving President, Alassane Ouattara, has dropped a strong hint that he may seek a fourth term in office, despite having previously suggested he would retire.
In a speech to diplomats in Abidjan on Thursday, the 83-year-old leader revealed that he is in “good health and eager to continue serving his country,” fueling speculation about his intentions ahead of the upcoming presidential election in October.
Ouattara, who won a controversial third term in 2020, had initially declared that he would step down after his second term, a promise that many believed would mark the end of his political career.
However, his remarks this week signal a shift in his stance, as he hinted that the decision about his candidacy could depend largely on whether his political rivals choose to retire from public life, suggesting that his leadership may remain necessary to stabilize the nation.
Heritage Times HT recalls that in September 2024, the political party he leads, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), expressed its support for a potential fourth-term bid, though no formal announcement has been made regarding his candidacy.
The country’s 2025 election will take place in October, and Ouattara’s remarks leave many wondering if he will follow through with another campaign.
The news comes amid a tense political climate in Ivory Coast, where rival factions have struggled for influence, particularly following the divisive 2020 elections.
President Ouattara’s leadership remains pivotal to many, but questions about the country’s future political trajectory, as well as the aging president’s long-term health, will likely dominate the pre-election discussions.
