There are increasingly persistent rumours that the current President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, is unlikely to stand for a fourth term. This could happen if he withdraws.

The announcement is not yet official. But rumours about the possible withdrawal of the current Ivorian head of state, Alassane Ouattara, are coming from all sides, and especially from the political camps. Normally, by this time in the run-up to an election, the head of state has already opened the floodgates to explain his candidacy to his supporters and to all Ivorians. All sections of the Ivorian population, his government and his strategic partners were already clear about his electoral position. So far this year, this has not been the case. Hence the rumours that Alassane Ouattara is unlikely to run for a fourth consecutive term.

Alassane Ouattara, the worrying silence

There are signs that do not deceive. As usual, especially in the pre-election period of previous years, the giant, flashy and noisy demonstrations and rallies were already being heard all over the country. From south to north. From the east to the west, via the centre. All to demand the candidacy of the Ivorian head of state in power, Alassane Ouattara. This was the case during his three previous terms in office. On the eve of the presidential election in October 2025, there is radio silence. A heavy silence, it would seem.

Do the ‘ADOrators’ and his closest lieutenants no longer have any illusions about another term of office for the leader, the fourth of its kind in particular?

According to some rumours, the health of the Ivorian Head of State, Alassane Ouattara, 82, would no longer allow him to take up a new challenge with the Ivorian people. Pathologies that he has been suffering from for many years are said to have weakened him further. Apart from the medical reason, it appears that the political, diplomatic and economic support from outside is no longer inclined to continue their lease with the government in Abidjan. Fact or fiction?
In accordance with the Ivorian constitution, which prohibits any Ivorian citizen from serving two terms, a number of political figures, including Pascal Affi N’Guessan, President of the Front Populaire Ivoirien (FPI), are not in favour of the current President of the Republic standing for election. He makes no secret of it. And he revealed as much on a foreign TV channel.

‘I don’t believe at all in the candidacy of the Head of State. I don’t welcome it. He himself said that he would not be a candidate. He’s out of his depth. He says he is running in 2020, in violation of the constitution, for reasons of force majeure. There is no case of force majeure in 2025 to justify his candidacy. This candidacy could perpetuate the crisis situation that the country has been experiencing for 30 years. We need to turn the page. And he is aware of that. I am convinced that he will do what he has to do.

The RHDP battle for position…

It’s no secret. You don’t have to be a fan of the ‘green box’, the headquarters of the Rassemblement des houphouëtistes pour la Paix et la Démocratie (RHDP), to realise that the party is hanging on the Head of State’s every word and decision. For the official declaration of his possible 4th presidential term. So, will he go? Will he not?

The crying lack of an internal dauphin clearly explains this silence, even this procrastination.

A situation that has given rise to what can only be described as a positioning war between the ‘heirs’ to the palace. This war is certainly not visible or public, but it is open internally. And there is no shortage of candidates for the throne in the green box. They may be presumptive or prelative, but they are definitely there. They include Ouattara Téné Birahima alias ‘photocopie’, the younger brother of the Head of State, Minister of State, Minister of Defence. His possible candidacy is already being fought from within the RHDP. Where he could already be eliminated. To, it is said, close the door from within, to what is called the emerging dynasty. Also on this short list are Vice-President Tiemoko Meyliet, Adama Bictogo, President of the National Assembly and Mayor of Yopougon, and Kandia Camara, President of the Cenat.

Until such time as the Head of State himself appoints a successor, this is a casus belli between his lieutenants. For the time being and for all time, his authority remains firmly in place in the RHDP. And no one can oppose that, let alone challenge it.
If indeed the 2025 elections are held without the current President of the Republic, the RHDP will go to its own succession with one of the horses mentioned above. Time will tell…

Photo: Official X account of Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

Maria de Dieu