Thousands Protest Against Ouattara’s Controversial Fourth Term Bid Ahead of Ivory Coast Election

Thousands of Ivorians have taken to the streets nationwide to oppose President Alassane Ouattara’s reported bid for a controversial fourth term.

Ivory Coast, the largest economy in francophone Africa, is scheduled to hold presidential elections in October. However, the electoral commission has reportedly barred four major opposition candidates, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, from running.

Protesters in Yopougon, a busy suburb of the capital Abidjan, carried placards with messages such as “Enough is enough!”, “No true democracy without true justice,” and “We are millions saying YES to Gbagbo and Thiam.”

Gbagbo and Thiam had previously formed an alliance to challenge Ouattara, who last month announced his intention to seek a fourth term. The 83-year-old leader, who removed presidential term limits through a 2016 constitutional amendment, faces increasing criticism over his prolonged stay in power.

“We don’t want a fourth term, and we want the electoral roll revised,” activist Sagesse Divine told the marchers. “We want all candidates included and to go to the polls in peace, that’s all we’re asking.”

There has been no official response from Ivorian authorities regarding the protests. Meanwhile, President Ouattara has defended his decision, saying Ivory Coast faces “unprecedented security, economic, and monetary challenges” that require his experienced leadership.