Ivory Coast Presidential Election: Allassan Ouatarra drowns his word, officially nominated to for re-election

The Ivory Coast’s ruling party the RHDP has officially nominated incumbent president, H.E Allassan Outarra to seek another term at the helm of the West African nation.

Mr. Ouatarrra has however asked for more time to consider the nomination, saying his final decision will be announced in a nation’s address on August 6, 2020. “I have heard messages from the various party structures, elected officials and RHDP bodies as well as those from the institutional presidents and ministers who have also contacted me directly. I take note of the resolutions of the political council and your request… I ask you to continue to have a thought for Amadou Gon and to give me time for meditation and recovery before you an answer very soon” he said in a statement on the nomination.

The 76 year old president had drawn praises from all over the continent after he earlier this year announced he was going to hand over the leadership of the nation to the another generation. It seemed it was going to be the case until the country’s Prime Minister Ahmadou Gon Coulibaliy died.

Gon Coulibaliy was the one touted as the chosen by the ruling party to replace Allassan Outarra when he eventually left power.

The decision by the ruling party to nominate Allassan Ouatarra has brought about wide condemnation the country’s opposition party as they believe it will be in the interest of the whole nation if the presidential did not seek a third term at the helm of power.

The opposition party has called the potential candidature of Allassan Outarra as unconstitutional and fear it might degenerate to deadly clashes post elections like the case ten years back that saw almost 3000 Ivory Coast citizens lose their lives.

Ivory Coast is due to hold elections on the 31st, October 2020 and the electoral commission has amongst other things promised a fair election.

Mimi Mefo Info