Keypoints:
- President Ouattara, 83, seeks fourth term
- Three-quarters of citizens are under 35
- Youth demand leadership that reflects their reality
COTE d’Ivoire heads into its October 2025 presidential election with familiar political names on the ballot—but a vastly changed population. President Alassane Ouattara, 83, has been nominated by his party to run for a fourth term, even as three-quarters of the nation’s population is under the age of 35.
The generational divide has become a defining issue, with young Ivorians pushing back against decades of rule by political elders who have dominated since the civil crises of the early 2000s. Many now see the 2025 vote as a turning point—either to reset the country’s leadership or entrench a political order increasingly out of step with its youthful base.
According to AFP, Ouattara’s Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party formally backed his candidacy earlier this year, reaffirming its faith in the man who has governed since 2010.
A young nation led by ageing figures
While the president and many of his peers remain powerful fixtures, most Ivorians were not yet born when they first took office. Alongside Ouattara, former president Laurent Gbagbo, now 79, continues to shape the opposition, despite years of exile and ICC prosecution. The late Henri Konan Bédié, who passed away in 2023 at 89, was still a political force at the last polls.
In contrast, the median age in Cote d’Ivoire is just 19. This stark mismatch between leaders and constituents is fuelling discontent and renewed calls for generational change.
‘We want leaders who speak our language—jobs, tech, climate, education—not just the past,’ said 27-year-old protest organiser Malick Koné in Abidjan. ‘They’ve ruled long enough. Now it’s our future at stake.’
Economic gains, but youth feel left behind
Cote d’Ivoire’s economy has grown steadily under Ouattara, with major public investments in roads, energy, and agriculture. But youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, with estimates nearing 40 percent in some urban centres.
Many young people say the benefits of growth have not reached them. ‘They talk of progress, but we see rent prices going up and job prospects shrinking,’ said Aminata Diarra, a 30-year-old digital freelancer. ‘We need leadership that actually sees us.’
Despite government schemes for youth employment and entrepreneurship, trust remains low among many young citizens who feel alienated from political decision-making.
Youth mobilisation but fragmented opposition
Youth-led civil society groups have been increasingly active, staging rallies and campaigns calling for political renewal and generational inclusion. But so far, no major youth candidate has emerged, and opposition parties remain fractured.
Ouattara’s camp argues that his steady leadership has delivered stability and global investor confidence. Critics counter that continued rule by an ageing elite risks alienating a population with rising social and economic demands.
‘The challenge is not just generational—it’s institutional,’ said political analyst Clarisse Yao, speaking to AFP. ‘The youth are tired of being courted during elections and ignored after.’
Lessons from the past, eyes on the future
The 2025 election will unfold against the backdrop of Cote d’Ivoire’s tumultuous political history, including the violent fallout of the 2010–11 crisis. Many fear that ignoring the growing generational divide could reignite unrest—or trigger mass voter apathy.
‘This is about legitimacy,’ said Kouadio Traoré, a youth organiser in Bouaké. ‘Who really represents the future of this country?’
While President Ouattara has not yet formally launched his campaign, his nomination signals the ruling party’s intent to stay the course. Whether that strategy resonates with a population demanding change remains to be seen.
A crossroads for democracy
Cote d’Ivoire’s 2025 vote may well be remembered not just for who wins, but for how it responds to a restless, rising generation.
With over 75 percent of the electorate under 35, the demand for representation, accountability and a forward-looking agenda is louder than ever. Whether the old guard listens—or the youth push through a new wave—will define the nation’s democratic future.
