A supporter of President Alassane Ouattara wears a hat during a campaign rally in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Supporters of President Alassane Ouattara dance during a rally in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
President Alassane Ouattara speaks during his final campaign rally at Republic Square in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Supporters of President Alassane Ouattara attend his final campaign rally at Republic Square in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Candidates in Ivory Coast’s presidential election held their final rallies Thursday as the campaign officially concluded in the West African nation of 30 million people.
The country goes to the polls on Saturday with incumbent President seeking a fourth term that would bring his rule over the cocoa-rich nation to almost two decades. He is running under the ruling party, Rassemblement des Houphouetistes pour la Paix, with the slogan “For a Great Nation."
8.7 million people have registered to vote in the election, with four weakened opposition parties challenging Ouattara.
Thousands of Ouattara supporters converged in central Abidjan after an earlier street party on Thursday. From a location overlooking the city’s new bridges at the final rally in the economic capital, the 83-year-old president delivered a message to his opponents: “The dogs are barking but the caravan has moved already.”
Other candidates also made strong final appeals to their supporters. Former first lady held her final rally in Aboisso, in the eastern part of the country, while Jean-Louis Billon, a former commerce minister, held his rally in Bouake, in the central region.
Analysts say these candidates do not stand a chance, especially since the two most significant opposition challengers, and Laurent Gbagbo, a former president, have been disqualified.
The exclusion of candidates from Saturday’s poll sparked nationwide protests, resulting in hundreds of arrests and .
As the election draws near, a vibrant, colorful city has slowed down with shops closed in many areas due to fear of violence breaking out. Elections in Ivory Coast have a history of violence.
Streets in Abidjan are dotted with signboards of Ouattara, the octogenarian smiling in a close-up portrait, while posters of his opponents are scarce, a sign of the president's chances on Saturday.
“Ouattara will win in the first round,” said Ange Ouattara, a 25-year-old supporter of the president, who dismissed his rivals as “opponents just for the sake of opposition.”
____
AP’s Africa coverage at:
The ɫtv Press. All rights reserved.
For many Indigenous communities, access to financial services and economic opportu…
Trust in international money transfers has long been tied to physical places: a ba…
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Tax: | |
| Today's total: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
