Incumbent President Quatara

*Electoral Register Bans All 4 Major Opposition Leaders

* ECOWAS Yet to Respond

Abubakar Hashim

Head of Côte d’Ivoire Independent Electiral Commission, CEI, Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly, yesterday, June 4, 2025, announced “ no revision of the electoral register will take place before the forthcoming October 2025 polls”.

Meaning, the major opposition figures challenging President Quatara’s 4th term ploy, Tidjane Thiam, leader of main opposition Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire, PDCI; Former President Laurent Gbagbo, former Prime Minister Guillaune Soro, his close ally, Charles Goude. None of the four opposition leaders will be allowed to contest the forthcoming October Presidential polls.

This magazine had earlier published the main opposition leader, Tidjane Thiam’s court proceedings challenging his eligibility to contest the October elections.

With yesterday’s final electoral register, Thiam’s court proceedings have been quelled. He is now heading to the UN Human Right Committee to appeal yesterday’s register, his party has revealed.

Tidjane Thiam

President Allasane Quatara, though has not officially announced his 4th term bid, his name was included in yesterday’s final electoral register.

He first came to power in 2010. The outcome of that election descended into a civil war, many lives were lost and people were displaced, with millions of properties lost.

The then incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat. With the help of ECOWAS, through Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with French troops in Abidjan, Gbagbo was safely removed from the State House, faced trials in Hague, but was later granted state pardon by Quatara.

In 2015, Quatara contested for 2nd term, won overwhelmingly.

He attempted to step aside in the 2020 elections, but his anointed successor, former Prime Minister, Ahmadou Coulibaly, died in baffling circumstances.
He amended the constitution, facilitating his 3rd term bid. He won massively with over 80% votes.

Former President Gbagbo

ECOWAS that has just celebrated its 50th golden anniversary is yet to respond to developments in Côte d’Ivoire. Quatara’s 4th ploy may likely plunge the country into another civil war, with catastrophic consequences

Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest cocoa producer and exporter, and the second economic power house in West Africa

*Abubakar Hashim is the News’ West Africa Bureau Chief