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Ivory Coast’s leader will face growing poll pressure

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Significance

Gon Coulibaly died aged 61 on July 8 in Abidjan shortly after falling ill during a cabinet meeting. His passing has upended the ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) succession plan, with speculation rife that President Alassane Ouattara may resurrect his plans for a contentious third-term bid.

Impacts

  • RHDP stalwarts may try to convince Ouattara to run on the assumption that he hand over power to a successor a few years into his third term.
  • While Ouattara's candidacy might reassure investors, it would polarise the country and heighten political tensions.
  • Should Ouattara run, this would further embolden Guinean President Alpha Conde with his own disputed third-term agenda.

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