Côte d'Ivoire Gears Up for 2025 Presidential Election
Pascal Affi N'Guessan, former Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, has been officially named the Popular Ivorian Front’s (FPI) candidate for the 2025 presidential election. This decision was made at an FPI congress held in Yamoussoukro, where N'Guessan was re-elected as party president with a sweeping 99.34% of the votes, cast by around 4,500 party members. The overwhelming support underscores N'Guessan’s strong influence within the party founded by former President Laurent Gbagbo.
N'Guessan assumed leadership of the FPI while Gbagbo faced charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Despite Gbagbo’s acquittal and subsequent return to Côte d'Ivoire, N'Guessan has maintained his leadership position, now stepping forward as the FPI’s choice to challenge for the presidency once again. His previous campaigns, in 2015 and 2020, ended in losses to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, who controversially extended his stay in office after securing a third term in 2020. N'Guessan rejected the outcome of that election, leading to his brief arrest on accusations of forming a “parallel government.”
As he prepares for the 2025 election, N'Guessan has outlined key reforms, including a pledge to abolish the senate and restore presidential term limits—policies aimed at reducing central power and increasing government accountability. These reforms are significant in a political landscape where the extension of Ouattara's presidency beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms has been a point of contention and public unrest. N'Guessan's platform reflects a call for change among Ivorians, many of whom feel sidelined by a political elite entrenched in power.
While N'Guessan's return marks renewed momentum for the FPI, the upcoming election also stirs questions about whether Ouattara will seek a fourth term. Although the president has yet to announce his intentions, a decision to run again would undoubtedly escalate tensions in a country with a recent history of political strife.
N'Guessan’s campaign, if backed by popular support, could signal a shift in Côte d'Ivoire’s political landscape, offering voters an alternative to the current administration’s dominance. His reformist agenda may resonate with Ivorian citizens eager for a governance model that prioritizes accountability and constitutional integrity.
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