Source : Météo Sahel Juin 2025

Télécharger l'intégralité de la Météo Sahel

Alassane Ouattara's "neither yes nor no" regarding his 4th candidacy continues to fuel fears of a political crisis in the country. In Côte d'Ivoire, the population is still holding its breath over the candidacy of the current President of the Republic. Chosen with great fanfare by his peers and supporters, ADO has yet to give his approval. He has released a message that still plunges Ivorians into uncertainty as to his participation in the October 2025 presidential election: "I have heard you". Taking part in his party's major congress on June 21 and 22 at the Ebimpé stadium, in front of a huge crowd that had come to invest him as a candidate, he announced that he would make a decision in the coming days concerning a fourth attempt. "I thank you for your confidence. In the coming days, after careful consideration, I will make a decision in my soul and conscience", declared the Ivorian president to supporters determined to see him return to the helm of the country. ADO (84) is still keeping things vague. In recent weeks, however, his support has been growing among influential political figures. 

Such is the case of Sidi Touré, executive vice-president of International Libéra and the Alliance of Liberal Parliamentarians, who is lending his support in the face of public opinion. In a motion approved unanimously, these supporters of Alassane Ouattara say: "We recognize in his candidacy the continuity of an enlightened leadership, faithful to liberal principles, guarantor of peace, progress and national unity". To justify their choice, they point to the economic results achieved by the current regime, notably in terms of growth, progress, modern infrastructure and stability. However, it remains to be seen whether or not he will stand for election to preside over the destinies of the Ivorian people for the next five years. This congress of the Rassemblement des houphouëtistes pour la démocratie et la paix (RHDP) takes place in a tense pre-electoral context marked by the withdrawal from the presidential race of some of Côte d'Ivoire's leading political figures, such as Thiam, Gbagbo, Soro and Blé Goudé.

Opposition unites to face down the government

For their part, the opposition parties are organizing to resist and stand up to the RHDP, which is reportedly seeking to prevent some of its leading figures from taking part in the next presidential election. They have joined forces to form the Coalition pour une alternance pacifique en Côte d'Ivoire (Coalition for a peaceful changeover in Côte d'Ivoire), coordinated by the PDCI leader from Europe, where he is currently based. Together with Laurent Gbagbo, he has set up a joint PPA-CI-PDCI front to confront the RHDP. The two leading opposition figures who have left their mark on Ivorian political life have decided to pool their forces and coordinate their actions in an agreement made public on June 19. The joint communiqué signed by Sébastien Dano Djédjé, executive chairman of the PPA-CI, and Noël Akossi Bendjo, vice-president and general coordinator of the PDCI-RDA, states that the two parties have decided to create a common front "aware of the need to pool their forces to meet the challenges linked to the electoral process". 

Their main demands include the reinstatement of rejected candidates on the electoral roll, the revision of the electoral roll for the year 2025, and the urgent opening of a political dialogue including all political forces and civil society, among others, in order to organize "democratic, peaceful and credible" elections. According to them, "The PPA-CI and PDCI have decided to join forces to ensure that the government heeds the message of Ivorians, at a time when the future of our country is truly at stake". 

At the beginning of this month, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) officially published the final list of candidates, thereby eliminating the AS square from the Ivorian political scene: Thiam, Gbagbo, Blé Goudé and Soro. This decision was criticized by the political class and important figures from civil society. According to Tidjane Thiam, it is "indicative of Côte d'Ivoire's abandonment of democracy". There is every reason to believe that the country is heading for elections without a representative opposition.

To guarantee inclusive elections, the government makes promises and threats

On the government side, pledges of inclusive elections have been made, but with eligible candidates for the next presidential election. This was revealed by the government spokesman at the "Rendez-vous du RHDP" on June 18 in Cocody, specifying that "no one is going to exclude anyone". According to Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, who made some threatening remarks: "Those who are not eligible and who want to force the issue, should abstain, because it won't work." He also took the opportunity to remind all stakeholders of the need to organize elections calmly, as the country's stability depends on it. Côte d'Ivoire, which has experienced painful electoral periods in the past, now finds itself at a crossroads.

At the same time, former minister Jean-Louis Billon shows no signs of letting up. Although he has declared his candidacy for the presidential elections, despite his party's instructions, he has embarked on a major mobilization tour to collect the sponsorships needed to validate his candidacy. On June 28, he visited the towns of Tanda, Kouassi-Datékro and Sandégué, where he repeated his key message: economic nationalism and improved living conditions for his fellow citizens, once elected. Taking the floor, he delivered a message full of hope and commitment. "I know your expectations, I see your suffering. Tomorrow, when I am elected, I will be the president of all Ivorians, without exception. I can assure you that no one will lose their job...", he insisted. Another candidate has been declared in recent days: that of Diaby Amadou, nicknamed by many the "Ivorian Macron". At a press conference in Cocody on Friday June 27, the leader of the Association pour la Promotion des Actions de Développement (APAD) argued for the need to create sufficient wealth to meet the challengescountry's current and future . The economist's ambition is to facilitate access to financing and combat youth unemployment, which accounts for over three-quarters of the population.

Doumbouya in Abidjan: behind the scenes of a state visit

On the diplomatic front, the president of Guinea's transitional government arrived in Côte d'Ivoire on June 18 for a two-day state visit. The visit marked a decisive turning point in the consolidation of bilateral relations between the two countries. After Rwanda, Gabon and Senegal, the President of Guinea's transitional government came to Côte d'Ivoire to give concrete expression to his pro-African commitment at the United Nations in New York: "We are pro-Africa". This friendly working visit between Conakry and Abidjan was an opportunity for the two men to discuss the economic, political and security situation in their respective countries and in the Sahel region. The Ivorian President expressed his deep conviction to his Guinean counterpart that political stability is the key to sustainable development. He affirmed that Côte d'Ivoire was following the situation in Guinea with great interest, and expressed his "wish to see Guinea regain its former luxury and continue its march towards economic and social progress". Turning to security, Colonel Doumbouya took stock of the worrying situation and the threat to coastal countries. Reiterating his unwavering commitment, he assured us that he was more than ever "determined to continue providing assistance to enable the countries of the Sahel to meet their humanitarian and security needs".