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.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara says he will seek a fourth term leading the West African nation, which is due to hold elections in October.

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