As Ivory Coast prepares for presidential elections scheduled to hold in October this year, former president Henri Konan Bedie has announced his intention to run for office again, after holding on to the presidential seat from 1993 -1999. With several other candidates already in the ring, Bedie’s announcement shakes t the Ivorian presidential race.
Announcing his intention on Sunday in the latest twist leading up to the polls, Bedie, while speaking to his PDCI-RDA coalition, stated that he was both “surprised and happy” with the messages and encouragement he has received over time, egging him on to the 2020 presidential race after more than two decades away from the premier role. “I feel honoured,” he told members of his coalition.
The 86-year old, who leads the PDCI party in Ivory Coast, had been in a coalition with incumbent President Alassane Ouattara’s RDR party – a pact that propelled Ouattara to victory in 2012 and 2015 – from 2005, up until a split was announced in 2018.
President Ouattara Steps Back
The incumbent President Alassane Outtara had hinted at a third term bid which goes against the country’s constitutionally mandated two-term tenure per candidate. This, he revealed would occur if former presidents Laurent Gbagbo and Henri Konan Bedie threw their hats into the ring.
“If they decide to be candidates, given their track record, their inability to manage Côte d’Ivoire, I will find another solution, including that of continuing,” he stated.
He, however, had a change of heart in March 2020, announcing his decision to step down and hand over, clearing the way for a new president by the end of 2020.
What does Bedie’s announcement mean for the ongoing race?
Bedie’s announcement is sure to affect several other candidates running for the top seat in Ivory Coast. Prior to his announcement, Bedie had shown support for the recently acquitted exiled former president, Laurent Gbagbo, who is being touted as a potential candidate for the FPI party. Also running under the FPI is former Prime Minister, Pascal Affi N’Guessan. Bedie will also face off against current Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who the ruling party has decided on.
