Ivory Coast's Ouattara Wins Fourth Term Amid Controversial Vote

Tue Oct 28 2025 14:41:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Alassane Ouattara, at 83 years old, has been declared the victor of Ivory Coast's presidential election, securing a fourth term under contentious circumstances as two major rivals were barred from participating.

Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara has been re-elected for a fourth term with 89.8% of the vote, following an election where prominent opponents were barred from contesting. The electoral commission reported a low voter turnout of 50.1%, enhanced by a boycott urged by the excluded competitors. The main opposition has condemned the election as undemocratic, claiming Ouattara's presidency lacks legitimacy.

Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara has secured a fourth term in an election where two of his significant challengers were barred from running, according to provisional results released on Monday.

Ouattara, aged 83, achieved an overwhelming 89.8% of the vote, as reported by the electoral commission, with businessman Jeal-Louis Billon trailing significantly with only 3.09% of the ballots. The predicting outcome followed the ban of former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, who urged their followers to boycott the election.

Voter turnout reached a mere 50.1%, indicating widespread discontent. Ouattara's eligibility to run again comes after a controversial constitutional change in 2016 that lifted term limits, allowing him to extend his presidency first assumed in 2011 after Gbagbo's arrest following a disputed election outcome.

The results remain provisional, with the final decree pending from the Constitutional Council where election petitions may be reviewed. Meanwhile, Gbagbo’s ex-wife Simone Gbagbo, permitted to contest, secured a modest 2.42% of the vote.

In reaction to the election, opposition members labeled it a “civilian coup d'etat,” stating they would not recognize Ouattara as a legitimate leader.