Alassane Ouattara Claims Fourth Term Amid Controversy in Ivory Coast

Wed Oct 29 2025 00:11:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ivory Coast's President Ouattara, at the age of 83, has secured a fourth term in office following a controversial election where two prominent rivals were barred from participation. Provisional results show Ouattara winning a staggering 89.8% of the vote amidst claims of a 'civilian coup' from opposition parties.

In a tightly contested and contentious election, Ivory Coast's incumbent president Alassane Ouattara won a fourth term with 89.8% of the votes. Two significant opponents, including former President Laurent Gbagbo, were barred from running, prompting accusations of electoral injustice. Opposition parties are refusing to recognize the election results, which they describe as a 'civilian coup'. Voter turnout was reported at just over 50%. Final results will be confirmed by a constitutional council after addressing any electoral challenges.

Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth term in an election where two of his biggest challengers were barred from participating, according to provisional results released by the electoral commission.

Ouattara, 83, won an overwhelming 89.8% of the vote, while businessman Jeal-Louis Billon trailed significantly with just 3.09%.

This decisive victory comes as little surprise, considering that former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, both banned from the race, had called for a boycott among their supporters.

Voter turnout was recorded at approximately 50.1%. However, as the results are provisional, the final tally awaits the ruling of the Constitutional Council regarding any election petitions.

The opposition coalition, consisting of Gbagbo and Thiam's parties, denounced the election process as a civilian coup d'etat, asserting they do not recognize Ouattara as a legitimately elected leader.

Ouattara first became president in 2011 after Gbagbo's arrest, which followed a disputed election in 2010. Initially limited to two terms in office, a constitutional amendment in 2016 allowed him to run again, despite opposition boycotts.