Thousands of Ivorians have taken to the streets across the country to reject President Alassane Ouattara’s reported bid for a controversial fourth term in office. The protests come ahead of Ivory Coast’s presidential election in October, with demonstrators voicing strong opposition to the 83-year-old leader’s extended rule.
In Yopougon, a bustling suburb of the capital Abidjan, protesters carried placards reading: “Enough is enough!”, “No true democracy without true justice,” and “We are millions saying YES to Gbagbo and Thiam.” These slogans reflect the mounting discontent with Ouattara’s bid, particularly as the electoral commission has reportedly barred four major opposition candidates, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, from running.
The two opposition figures had previously formed an alliance to challenge Ouattara’s bid for re-election. Ouattara’s move to run for a fourth term follows a 2016 constitutional amendment that removed presidential term limits. Critics argue that his continued stay in power undermines democratic principles.
One of the protesters, activist Sagesse Divine, expressed the sentiments of many in the crowd: “We don’t want a fourth term, and we want the electoral roll revised. We want all candidates included and to go to the polls in peace, that’s all we’re asking.”
While protests continue, President Ouattara has defended his decision, claiming that Ivory Coast faces “unprecedented security, economic, and monetary challenges” that necessitate his experienced leadership. As of press time, no official response has been provided by Ivorian authorities regarding the protests.