Côte d’Ivoire’s Presidential Election: Alassane Ouattara Wins Fourth Term Amid Low Turnout and Opponent Bans
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire — Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara has been declared the winner of the 25 October 2025 presidential election, securing a fourth term in a landslide victory.
The Key Facts
The country’s Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) announced that Ouattara won approximately 89.77 % of the valid votes cast.
Voter turnout was low — around 50 % of the 8.7 million registered voters cast ballots.
Major opposition figures, including Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, were barred from contesting.
Opposition candidate Jean‑Louis Billon conceded, pointing to the huge lead by the incumbent.
Context & Implications
Ouattara, 83 years old, has held power since 2011 and his victory deepens his hold on the West African country’s politics. While his government has overseen economic growth and relative post-conflict stability, critics argue this election reflects democratic backsliding.
Concerns include the exclusion of key rivals from the process and the low turnout, which raise questions about legitimacy. With the opposition marginalized and youth unemployment high, analysts say the biggest test for Ouattara now will be delivering on economic promise while managing potential unrest.
What This Means Forward
Ouattara has pledged to continue economic development and initiate a transition to younger leadership — though the successor is not yet clear.
The next major milestone: parliamentary elections are scheduled later in the year, where the electoral landscape may reveal more about opposition strength.
For regional stability in West Africa, the handling of this political transition will be key — especially given Côte d’Ivoire’s role in the cocoa industry and Francophone Africa.
Bottom Line
While the official result still awaits validation by the Constitutional Council, the outcome seems likely to entrench Ouattara’s rule. The election unfolded peacefully compared to past crises — but the democratic credentials of the process remain under scrutiny.
