Ivory Coast opposition demands electoral reform amid growing uncertainty ahead of October vote

With just months to go before Ivory Coast’s October 2025 presidential election,the newly formed Coalition for a Peaceful Alternation (CAP-CI) is intensifying pressure on the ruling party to ensure credible and inclusive polls.

At the heart of its demands: judicial impartiality,revised electoral lists,and the reinstatement of disqualified candidates,including opposition figure Tidjane Thiam. This leader of the CAP-CI coalition,as well as the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) and former Credit Suisse CEO,was recently barred from running over dual nationality claims. In a video shown in Paris,Thiam denounced the “instrumentalization of justice” and called for reforms to restore democratic legitimacy. But with Thiam sidelined and Jean-Louis Billon stepping forward,the PDCI appears to have lost momentum.

CAP-CI,comprising more than 25 parties including those of ex-First Lady Simone Gbagbo and Pascal Affi N’Guessan,is urging incumbent President Alassane Ouattara not to seek a fourth term,warning it could breach constitutional norms. Ouattara,in power since 2011,has yet to confirm his candidacy,though his ruling party,RHDP,views him as its natural choice. Despite its formation in March,the opposition alliance remains fragile,facing internal rifts and judicial obstacles. Critics argue the opposition lacks not only unity but also a coherent policy platform,leaving the electorate with little beyond anti-Ouattara sentiment.