Presidential Race Heats Up in Ivory Coast: Three Challengers to Ouattara

Sat Oct 25 2025 04:23:17 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Ivory Coast prepares for its presidential elections, incumbent Alassane Ouattara faces fierce competition from former first lady Simone Gbagbo, tycoon Jean-Louis Billon, and other challengers amid a politically charged atmosphere.

Ivory Coast's upcoming presidential elections mark a significant moment in the nation's political landscape as incumbent President Alassane Ouattara runs for a fourth term against a backdrop of controversy and strong opposition. Notable candidates include former first lady Simone Gbagbo, business tycoon Jean-Louis Billon, and other challengers aiming to address widespread discontent primarily among poorer residents, focusing on economic growth and job creation. With recent political tensions heightening, the election promises to be a pivotal point for the West African nation known as a leading cocoa producer.

Dancing dominates campaign rallies in Ivory Coast, but the pulsing energy and fervour belies concerns about the political landscape in the world's largest cocoa producer.

Saturday's presidential vote in the West African nation is as notable for the candidates who have been banned from running as for those who are vying for the top job.

While incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, a hero to some for bringing growth over the last 15 years to a country following a brutal civil war, is facing a backlash from those who see the 83-year-old's fourth-term bid as a slap in the face to democracy - even though his candidacy is allowed by the constitution.

Prominent opposition leader Tidjane Thiam was disqualified in April after a court ruled that he had forfeited his Ivorian citizenship when he became French in 1987 - a ruling that he disputed - while former President Laurent Gbagbo was barred because of a 2018 criminal conviction.

It was Gbagbo's refusal to accept defeat to Ouattara in a run-off vote in 2010 that sparked a post-election conflict that left more than 3,000 people dead and traumatised a nation vital to the global supply of chocolate.

Yet Ouattara, known to his supporters by his initials Ado, still faces strong competition, especially from Gbagbo's former wife and one of the country's richest men, who is popular with urban voters - but it is a divided opposition.

There are four candidates up against the octogenarian:

Simone Gbagbo, 76, former first lady, once married to ex-President Laurent Gbagbo and regarded as his main adviser.
Jean-Louis Billon, 60, a former minister and one of the country's richest men who made his fortune from palm oil.
Henriette Lagou Adjoua, 66, a former minister and prominent women's rights campaigner.
Ahoua Don Mello, 67, a former minister and ex-ally of ex-President Gbagbo.

Despite the economic progress under Ouattara, his opponents hope to capitalise on complaints from many of the country's poor, who are not feeling the benefits of the rapid growth.

The economy is growing, but not for us, Billon, the business tycoon and youngest of all the candidates - representing the Democratic Congress (Code) - has said.

Dancing on stage during rallies in front of thousands of supporters in the political capital, Yamoussoukro, he has taken to doing judo moves to show he is ready for the job and full of energy.

Young people can't find jobs, and the cost of living is rising, says the politician, who is confident that if he gets into a second-round run-off with the incumbent, then Ouattara's time will be over.

Billon had been hoping to represent the centre-right Democratic Party (PDCI) of late President Henri Konan Bédié. But in the end, the party went for the now-disqualified Thiam - so without a candidate on the ballot paper, Billon feels sure he will get the backing of PDCI supporters.

However, Simone Gbagbo, leader of the leftist Movement of Capable Generations (MGC), has also positioned herself as a voice for the disaffected - and believes those votes will come to her.

Always smiling and wearing traditional smart dresses, her energy sparks and she holds her mic like a pop star. A natural campaigner, she knows how to revitalise her supporters.

The former first lady, once dubbed the iron lady because of her reputation for toughness, is part of the CPA-CI, a coalition of opposition groups that came together earlier this year to protest against Ouattara's candidacy.

President Ouattara has done some good things, but he destroyed education, she told her supporters recently.

With a background in education, academia and trade unions, her campaign has focused on rebuilding schools and offering better opportunities to young people.

However, Ouattara's backers remain confident. His rallies seem a little bit less dynamic than in 2010, 2015 and 2020 - but they still attract many people of all ages.

Despite the change to the constitution in 2016 that allowed Ouattara to run for a third and fourth term, his candidacy this time round has sparked anger and the government has reacted to recent protests with a swift crackdown.

Many residents are taking precautions, worried about potential unrest following the vote.

Nevertheless, some, like a local resident, are hopeful things will proceed peacefully.

Ouattara enjoys strong support in the north, where his base among Dioula-speaking communities remains loyal - and he opted to launch his campaign in the west where he has previously picked up votes.