Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara has maintained on June 22 suspense over his potential candidacy in the October 2025 presidential election.
Speaking before a packed stadium at the RHDP party congress in Abidjan on Sunday, Ouattara thanked supporters for their trust but said he would take several days to reflect before announcing his decision. Though the congress had officially designated him as the party’s candidate, he stopped short of accepting the nomination. His remarks—emphasising national stability and peace—were met with optimism by some party militants who interpreted his speech as a veiled affirmation of his candidacy.
The delayed decision, however, left party officials and members of the official tribune with mixed reactions. While Ouattara accepted to remain as party leader, which many view as a move to maintain internal cohesion amid factional tensions, his silence on whether he will run again has fuelled speculation. Some see it as a demonstration of prudence, allowing him to speak later from the position of a statesman rather than a partisan figure. But the clock is ticking—presidential candidates must begin collecting sponsorships by 1 July and submit their dossiers by 26 August.
In the opposition, the lack of clarity has heightened suspicion and criticism. With four prominent figures disqualified from running, opponents like Laurent Gbagbo and Pascal Affi N’Guessan warn against a return to one-party rule. Gbagbo denounced the idea of a fourth term, vowing continued resistance, while Tidjane Thiam of the PDCI questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process if Ouattara runs again. As the nation waits, the stakes remain high, and the political atmosphere grows increasingly tense ahead of the official campaign season.