‘It is absolutely unconstitutional’: Mélenchon’s shock statement sparks anger in Abidjan

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, called Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara's fourth term 'absolutely unconstitutional,' triggering a strong reaction from the Ivorian embassy in Paris, which denounced it as interference. Mélenchon criticized the October 2025 election, won by Ouattara with 89.77%, noting that main opponents were excluded by the Constitutional Council. He also recalled the French army's role in arresting Laurent Gbagbo in 2011, drawing a parallel to the current situation.