Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara may have to stand for a third term following the sudden death of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly on Wednesday, according to an official quoted by the AFP news agency.
“All options are on the table, including a new candidacy for President Ouattara,” AFP reports the ruling party’s executive director, Adama Bictogo, as saying.
The country is beginning eight days of national mourning for the late prime minister, who was the candidate for the ruling RDHP party in October’s presidential election, after Mr Ouattara’s decision to step down.
Analysts say it will be difficult for the party to find a candidate of the same stature as the popular prime minister.
They say Mr Ouattara may then have to stand again, even though that could lead to accusations of abuse of democracy.
Mr Outtara came into power in 2011. This was after his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, was ousted from office following his refusal to accept Mr Ouattara’s internationally recognised victory in the previous year’s elections.
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