Ivory Coast’s Contested Election Exposes Democratic Deficits and Risks to Regional Stability

As Ivory Coast held its presidential election on October 25, 2025, the political landscape revealed troubling signs of democratic erosion that should concern Americans who value freedom and global stability. The 83-year-old incumbent, Alassane Ouattara, seeks a controversial fourth term amid a field narrowed by the exclusion of key rivals. This move not only undermines fair competition but also threatens to entrench authoritarian governance in a region pivotal for American strategic interests. The world’s largest cocoa producer stands at a crossroads where political continuity risks coming at the expense of genuine democratic process. Despite the façade of choice with five...