Oct. 25 Ivory Coast Election Heightens Mining Risks

Ivory Coast’s presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 25, 2025, and is being contested amid lively rallies that mask deep tensions rooted in the 2010–11 post‑electoral crisis. Incumbent Alassane Ouattara, 83, is seeking a controversial fourth term after a 2016 constitutional reset and is widely expected to win, a prospect critics say undermines democratic norms. The opposition is fragmented: several high‑profile figures were barred from standing, while candidates on the ballot include Simone Gbagbo, Jean‑Louis Billon and Ahoua Don Mello. Many voters, including first‑time and young voters, praise economic growth under Ouattara but say it has not reached the poor, fueling calls for change. Authorities report an uptick in social‑media disinformation and have censored posts and made arrests amid concerns about foreign interference, including from neighbouring Burkina Faso. The expanded mining sector — particularly gold — has been a key part of economic diversification, but companies remain cautious about investment and operations because potential instability around the vote could threaten the industry.