Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, stated on Thursday, January 9, 2025, that he was “eager to continue serving” his country, amid calls from his party, the RHDP, for him to seek another term.
“As of today, I have not yet made a decision. But I am in good health and eager to continue serving my country,” said Mr. Ouattara, who was receiving New Year’s greetings from the diplomatic corps at the presidential palace in Abidjan.
“Five years ago, in this very room, I indicated that I wanted to hand over to a new generation. It was my intention not to run for office again. Today, I can tell you, I’m glad I accepted my party’s proposal,” Ouattara emphasised.
Ouattara revealed that his party “has half a dozen candidates present in this room,” reiterating that the October 2025 presidential election will be “peaceful, democratic, and transparent.”
Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Mauricio Rueda Beltz, speaking on behalf of the accredited ambassadors in Cote d’Ivoire, expressed the hope that the Ivorian state would continue along its “path of peace, unity, and prosperity.”
The October 2025 presidential election is shaping up to be epic.
On the opposition side, several candidates are already known, including Laurent Gbagbo, leader of the PPA-CI, nominated on May 10, 2024, and former First Lady Simone Ehivet, president of the MGC.
However, Laurent Gbagbo is not on the electoral list due to a 2018 conviction by the Ivorian justice system for the “robbery” of the BCEAO.
Setting the stage for the 2025 electoral contest, he raised the issue of his registration on the electoral list and his “victory” in the presidential race.
The leader of the PDCI, international banker Tidjane Thiam, a natural candidate for the former single-party, is expected to be nominated following a convention announced for the near future. Within the party, Jean-Louis Billon has already declared his candidacy.
AP/sf/lb/as/APA