Ouattara launches campaign as tensions soar ahead of Ivory Coast election
Outtara is widely expected to win after his two main rivals, former president Laurent Gbagbo and the head of the main opposition party, Tidjane Thiam, were barred from running in the October 25 election.
Pedestrians walk past a campaign billboard of Ivorian president and presidential candidate of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), Alassane Ouattara, on the eve of his first campaign rally in Daloa, on October 10, 2025. (AFP)
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DALOA - Seeking a fourth term in the country’s upcoming presidential election, Ivorian leader Alassane Ouattara launched his campaign on Saturday at a rally in the city of Daloa.
Outtara is widely expected to win after his two main rivals, former president Laurent Gbagbo and the head of the main opposition party, Tidjane Thiam, were barred from running in the October 25 election.
A general view of the first meeting of the Ivorian President and presidential candidate of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), Alassane Ouattara, at the Daloa regional stadium in Daloa on October 11, 2025 ahead of Ivory Coasts's presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025. (AFP)
"I love this Ivory Coast that unites women and men from different communities," the 83-year-old president said, addressing the crowd of cheering supporters at the Daloa regional stadium.
Heavy downpour failed to dampen spirits at the rally where Mamadou Toure, spokesperson for the ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party, urged people to "vote for stability, peace, and continuity."
Meanwhile, in Abidjan, security forces dispersed crowds with tear gas during a protest on Saturday by Ivorian opposition parties, AFP journalists saw.
Ivorian gendarmes and soldiers patrol while waiting for the arrival of the Ivorian President and presidential candidate of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), Alassane Ouattara, on the eve of his first presidential campaign rally in Daloa on October 10, 2025. (AFP)
Authorities had banned the demonstration the day before, citing the need to "maintain public order."
"Alassane Ouattara is not the choice of the Ivorians. We are not in a democracy; we are under a dictatorial regime," one activist told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"His time has come; he should leave the fourth term," said Marie Rolande Gouho Zion, another protester.
Tensions in the West African country are running high ahead of the election as four candidates stand between Ouattara and his dream of a fourth term, whose legality the president's opponents have questioned.
Among them, two former allies of Gbagbo, his ex-wife Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and former minister Ahoua Don Mello, launched their campaigns on Saturday.
Henriette Lagou, who was a candidate in 2015, will also meet supporters on Monday in the city of Daoukro.
Meanwhile, former trade minister Jean-Louis Billon, who broke away from Tidjane Thiam's opposition party over a leadership dispute, held his first rally on Friday in Abidjan.