TOPSHOT - President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara waves as he arrives to attend the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on January 13, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
(The Post News)- President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast has officially announced his candidacy for a fourth term in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October. The 83-year-old leader defended his decision by stating that age is not a barrier and that his primary concern is maintaining stability in the face of ongoing security and economic challenges.
In a public statement, Ouattara emphasized that the adoption of a new constitution in 2016 effectively reset his previous term limits, thereby legally allowing him to seek re-election.
However, his announcement has sparked significant backlash from the opposition. Tidjane Thiam, a former government minister and prominent opposition figure, condemned Ouattara’s candidacy, calling it an assault on democracy and a violation of the nation’s constitution.
“The people of Ivory Coast will show the world how they feel about the leadership of their country. They will make their voices heard,” Thiam stated.
Following Ouattara’s declaration, government officials banned a peaceful protest march that was scheduled for August 7. Organized by opposition parties, the demonstration aimed to demand the reinstatement of disqualified presidential candidates and called for an independent audit of the voter registry.
During Ouattara’s tenure, Ivory Coast’s economy has experienced an average growth rate of 6%. Despite this economic progress, political tensions have continued to rise, and there are growing concerns over the state of governance and political inclusivity.
The disqualification of opposition candidates has heightened fears of renewed unrest, reviving memories of the 2010-2011 post-election violence that claimed more than 3,000 lives. Ouattara’s controversial bid for a third term in 2020 also sparked significant turmoil.
With over 8.7 million registered voters expected to participate in the October election, civil society organizations and religious leaders, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, have expressed deep concern over increasing political polarization and the potential for instability.
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