Alassan Ouattara
Source: Africa Publicity
Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara of Cote D’Ivoire says he will be running for a fourth term in Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential election in October this year.
He made the announcement in a statement. According to him, his health is not an issue.
He says his desire to seek a fourth term is driven by a need to “preserve national stability amid ongoing security and economic challenges”.
He says a new constitution approved in 2016 reset his two-term limit, meaning he is allowed to stand.
His announcement comes after several key opposition leaders were barred from contesting the election.
The candidates barred from contesting include ex-President Laurent Gbagbo, ex-Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, and former minister Tidjane Thiam.
Meanwhile, Thiam and other opposition leaders on Tuesday condemned Ouattara’s decision to run for a fourth term.
In a statement, Thiam says “Today’s announcement by Mr Ouattara constitutes a violation of our Constitution and a new attack on democracy,” adding that
“The Ivorian people will continue to make their voices heard and show the world what we think of this situation.”
