Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, 83, announced on Tuesday his candidacy for a fourth term in the presidential elections scheduled for October 25, defying legal and political controversy surrounding his continued rule.

Ouattara justified his decision by citing unprecedented security and economic challenges that require “experience,” stating that “duty sometimes surpasses the promise made in good faith.”

This move comes after his controversial re-election in 2020, despite his previous pledge not to run again.

He is currently seen as the frontrunner, with major opposition figures excluded, including Tiégnan Tiama due to “dual nationality” and former president Laurent Gbagbo due to “corruption charges.”

The African Union has expressed its readiness to support the upcoming electoral process in the world’s largest producer of cocoa.