Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara Wins Fourth Term in Landslide Victory Amid Limited Opposition

Abidjan | October 28, 2025 Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth consecutive term in office following a sweeping victory in the nation’s presidential election, according to provisional results announced on Monday. The 83-year-old leader, a former international banker and long-time political figure, won with 89.77% of the vote — a result widely anticipated after his main challengers were disqualified from the race. Ouattara’s decisive win marks yet another chapter in his long tenure as head of state, which began after the fiercely contested 2010 election that plunged the country into a brief but deadly civil conflict. His predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, had refused to concede defeat at the time, triggering months of violence that claimed around 3,000 lives. Since then, Ouattara’s leadership has been credited with ushering in relative stability and consistent economic growth in the world’s largest cocoa-producing nation. According to the electoral commission’s announcement, former Commerce Minister Jean-Louis Billon came in a distant second with 3.09% of the vote, followed by former first lady Simone Gbagbo, who received 2.42%. Gbagbo reportedly called Ouattara on Monday to congratulate him on his re-election, a gesture seen as a small step toward reconciliation in the country’s often polarized political environment. Voter turnout was estimated at around 50%, consistent with the 2020 and 2015 elections but considerably lower than the record 80% participation in 2010. Analysts attribute this decline to growing voter fatigue and disillusionment with politics, particularly after years of restricted opposition activity and recurring disputes over eligibility rules. Prominent figures such as Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, the former CEO of Credit Suisse, were barred from contesting this year’s election due to legal restrictions. This effectively cleared the path for Ouattara, who faced minimal resistance from candidates lacking strong party backing. Critics argue that these exclusions undermined the fairness of the election, calling it a one-sided contest. Tidjane Thiam, in a statement released Monday, described the vote as “not a real election,” citing an atmosphere of fear and limited public engagement. Similar sentiments were echoed by ordinary citizens, including Arsene Kanga, a factory worker in Abidjan, who told reporters that “everything was designed for Ouattara to win.” Since the violence of 2010, many Ivorians have grown increasingly detached from political life, weary of conflict and skeptical of meaningful reform. “People no longer believe politics can bring change,” said Rinaldo Dipagne, deputy director of the Africa program at the International Crisis Group. While the election itself proceeded peacefully on Saturday, authorities had imposed curfews and banned protests in the days prior. The government deployed 44,000 security personnel nationwide, and Amnesty International criticized what it called an excessive restriction on public demonstrations. Dozens of protesters were sentenced to prison terms of up to three years for “disturbing public order,” according to the Interior Ministry. In his victory address, Ouattara vowed to continue strengthening the Ivorian economy and attracting foreign investment while preparing for a political transition to a new generation of leaders. However, no clear successor has yet emerged, and analysts warn that internal divisions within the ruling party could spark future instability. The Constitutional Council is expected to confirm the election results in the coming days, officially extending Ouattara’s hold on power and shaping the next phase of Ivory Coast’s political future. Ouattara Wins Fourth Term in Ivory Coast Election Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth term with a landslide 89.77% of the vote, according to provisional results announced Monday. The 83-year-old leader’s victory was widely expected after major rivals, including Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, were barred from contesting. Former minister Jean-Louis Billon and ex–first lady Simone Gbagbo finished far behind. Voter turnout stood at around 50%, lower than previous highs, reflecting growing political fatigue. Ouattara pledged continued economic growth and a gradual transition to new leadership as the nation’s Constitutional Council prepares to validate the final election results.