Analysts warn Ouattara’s run for a fourth term in Ivory Coast signals a return to authoritarian rule, mirroring democratic backsliding across West Africa.

Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has announced that he will be running for a fourth term. He is the latest leader in West and Central Africa to attempt to stay in power after weakening the opposition party.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said Tuesday that he would seek a fourth term leading the West African nation, which is due to hold an election in October. Ouattara's candidacy is contested after he changed the constitution in 2016 to remove the presidential term limit.