President of Côte d'Ivoire Confirms Intention to Run in Thursday's Elections

• Alassane Ouattara confirmed his intention to run in the elections on July 25.
• The opposition considers his candidacy unconstitutional due to changes in the constitution.
• During the previous elections in 2020, there was violence, resulting in the deaths of 85 people.

President of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, announced his intention to run in the upcoming elections, which will take place on July 25. His candidacy has sparked controversy, as the constitutional amendment allowed him to run again, while the opposition considers this unconstitutional.

Ouattara, who previously expressed his desire to run, received a nomination from his party – the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP). He emphasized that he intends to continue fulfilling his obligations, as the constitution allows him to do so, and he believes his health is sufficient for participation in the elections.

At the age of 83, the president has been in power since 2011. During his presidency, the country has experienced stable economic growth, which is confirmed by the forecasts of the International Monetary Fund, which expects growth of 6.3% in 2025.

However, during the elections, tensions and fears regarding possible violence are increasing, which accompanied previous elections, including in 2020, when the aftermath of the turmoil resulted in the deaths of at least 85 people. The opposition parties have called for the reinstatement of the rights of their leaders, who were excluded from the elections due to legal rulings.

Political analysts note that Ouattara seeks to achieve certain success in the economy, while democratic processes remain relevant, as the opposition accuses him of increasing control over the authorities.

Tags: Politics